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Indicator

4.2 Legal minimum marriage age

Legal minimum marriage age
Countries
Scores
17
0/2
23
1/2
20
2/2
← None Comprehensive →
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One-third of countries ban child marriage without exceptions.

 Another third set a minimum marriage age below 18. The last third have no minimum age of marriage at all.

Every region has at least one country in each of these categories. Some of the most economically advantaged countries in the world scored 0 out of 100 while some of the least advantaged scored 100 out of 100.

IndicatorWhat it measuresWhy it mattersScore range
4.2 Legal minimum marriage ageWhether the minimum legal age for marriage is 18 with no exceptionsChild marriage exposes children to sexual violence and exploitation — exceptions undermine protection0–2

How to interpret your country's score

4.2 Legal minimum marriage age (0–2)
0No minimum legal age of marriage, taking into account all exceptions.
1Minimum legal age is below 18, or exceptions allow marriage below 18.
2Legal age of marriage is 18 or above, with no exceptions.

Data explorer

From indicators to budget lines

Use this as a guide to strengthen your advocacy requests and create targeted ‘asks’ to decision-makers within the right Ministry (for example: Foreign Affairs, Social Welfare, or Finance)

IndicatorWhat it measuresBudget-line-to targetTemplate language
4.2 Legal minimum marriage ageWhether the minimum marriage age is 18 with no exceptionsMinistry of Justice / Gender: legislative reform, enforcement, community education, registration systems“Allocate [amount] for legislative reform to establish 18 as the minimum marriage age with no exceptions, supported by community engagement and enforcement capacity.”

How to put a number on your ask

Break your ask into building blocks a Finance Ministry would recognize. Even a rough component-based estimate signals seriousness:

IndicatorExamples of components to estimate
4.1–4.2 Legal reform (corporal punishment, marriage age)Legislative drafting and parliamentary process; enforcement mechanisms; public education campaigns

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Data driving change

Third Richest Nation

www.bravemovement.org/campaigns/third-richest-nation

A world without childhood violence would be $7 trillion richer. This nation isn’t real. Its wealth could be. Brave Movement's survivor-led advocacy campaign at the G20 in 2025 pressured decision makers to invest in prevention, healing and justice to create stronger, happier nations.

#BeBrave G7 Scorecard 2025

www.bravemovement.org/g7

By evaluating each G7 nation’s progress on vital policy measures we're drawing global attention to the global, silent pandemic of sexual violence against children. This is a crisis that undermines the G7's commitment to building secure, prosperous, and equitable societies. Kids need bold leadership and decisive action now to be safe and thrive.

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www.togetherforgirls.org/en/press/a-record-breaking-event-now-governments-must-deliver

We broke the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ for the most countries represented at a childhood violence summit! With 120 governments attending, this first ever Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children was the largest organized event to address this issue on a global scale. Most importantly, as a result, we also broke the world’s record of inaction against childhood sexual violence.