Important numbers on child marriage in Egypt

CAIRO – 12 December 2017: Child marriage is a major social issue in Egypt, having jeopardized human rights for decades. Despite increasing the legal age of marriage to 18 years old for both genders, many families have resorted to unofficial marriages until both partners reach the legal age.

The following are important numbers on child marriages in Egypt.
1) 13.9 million children – male and female – are victims of child marriage.
2) They make up 14.4 percent of the total number of children in Egypt.
3) The rates are higher in rural areas.
4) The percentage is 9.1 in Giza, 8.1 in Cairo, and 7.7 in Sharqia.
5) The percentage is much less in Port Said and Suez governorates, at 0.9 percent.
6) The average birth rate for marriages below 18 years old is 3.7 per mother.
7) The average birth rate for marriages above 22 years old is 2.79 per mother.
8) Child marriages result in 20 percent of births annually.
9) 33.3 percent of women between 25 and 29 years old who are married and living in rural Upper Egypt got married below the legal age.
10) The Ministry of Health and Population aims to decrease child marriage in Egypt by 15 percent in the near future.