Prevalence and correlates of child marriage in Zambia

Eunice N. S. Imasiku, University of Zambia

Though various international agreements and national laws have been put in place to prevent child marriages, the percentage of girls marrying below 18 years in most developing countries is still high. Globally one approximately 33% of girls marry before their eighteenth birthday. Child marriage remains a pervasive problem in Zambia. Child marriage has several effects and consequences. Despite this being the case, there is limited research on levels and determinants of child marriage in Zambia. Therefore this study aims at estimating the level and identifying the determinants of child marriage in Zambia. Data for this cross-sectional study was drawn from the 2007 and 2013-14 ZDHS. Results revealed a reduction of child marriage from 55% in 2007 to 49% in 2013-14. Young women with higher education were less likely to marry before eighteen years in both years. There is need for concerted efforts to prevent child marriages in Zambia.