Adolescent Marriage in Nepal: A Subregional Level Analysis

This study aims to identify the distribution of marriages among adolescents, aged 10 to 19 years, throughout Nepal. Data were obtained from the 2011 Nepal Demographic and Health Survey. Chi-square tests and logistic regression analyses were used to identify the main determinants of adolescent marriages (AMs). Of a total 11,967 weighted samples, 9.3% of adolescents (95% CI, 8–10%) were found to have been married; a significantly higher percentage of these were female. The variability of AMs varied among the regions of Nepal, with a higher percentage occurring in the Western Mountain, Mid-Western Hill, and Central Terai areas. AMs were also more likely to have occurred among poorer households. The findings show a substantial differences of AMs in different geographic areas and demographic levels in Nepal.