Consequences of child marriage in Indonesia

The challenge

Child marriage is prohibited by international law yet, unless things change, it is estimated that about 150 million girls will be married in childhood by 2030. In Indonesia, more than 25 million women and seven million men are estimated to have been married before the age of 19 (the legal minimum age of marriage in Indonesia). Child marriage affects people across the country and of all religious and socioeconomic groups.

The research

In this project we examined the consequences of child marriage for girls (and boys), as they grow into adulthood, for their households and their children. Our research is conducted in the context of Indonesia where, as in most developing countries, child marriage is common.

The impact

This study found that for women, child marriage reduces educational attainment and leads to worse employment prospects and income. These women have lower satisfaction with life and divorce more often. They have more children, receive less care during pregnancy and their children experience persistent disadvantage. Men who marry early are also disadvantaged.

Child marriage in Indonesia persists despite raising the minimum marriage age to 19. Laws alone are insufficient; effective strategies include empowering girls through education and skills, social protection programs, targeted incentives, and culturally tailored information campaigns. Supporting young mothers with healthcare, childcare, and documentation further mitigates negative impacts.