Early Child Marriage in South Asia: A Long-Term Economic Evaluation
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2024-07-11
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nl
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Early child marriage remains a significant challenge in developing countries, particularly in South Asia, where its prevalence surpasses that of any other region. Despite extensive research on child marriages, the understanding of its long-term effects on future career opportunities for girls remains limited. This study aims to address this gap by exploring the economic effects of early child marriage in South Asia, focusing on the long-term impacts on female educational attainment, labour participation and distribution, welfare, and gender inequality. Using state-level data from the Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) for Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and Nepal, it examines these interrelations through multivariate statistical analysis. Instrumental variables (IV) are used to determine if existing levels of negative welfare are due to pre-existing differences or if they represent impacts directly resulting from early marriages. Results across the four countries indicate that earlier marriages are linked to higher school dropout rates, increased labour participation primarily in Nepal, and elevated poverty rates. Limited evidence was identified regarding shifts towards lower quality occupations and gender inequality rates, underscoring the necessity for further investigation into these aspects.
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Faculteit der Managementwetenschappen