Child marriage in Zimbabwe is common. As of 2019, approximately 1 in 3 girls in Zimbabwe are married before age 18.
Early pregnancy can pose a health risk. In July 2021, a 15-year-old girl, who was married to a 26-year-old man, died giving birth inside a church.
2016 key indicators of child marriage in Zimbabwe
IndicatorGender/current agePercentageMarriage or union before age 15Women aged 15–49 yearsMen aged 15–49 yearsMen aged 15–54 years5.0%0.3%0.3%Marriage or union before age of 18Women aged 20–49 yearsMen aged 20–49 yearsMen aged 20–54 years32.8%3.7%3.9%Young people age 15–19 years currently married or in unionWomenMen 24.5%1.7%In a polygynous unionWomen aged 15–49 yearsMen aged 15–49 yearsMen aged 15–54 years 10.1%3.8%4.1%Spousal age differenceYoung women married or in union and whose spouse is 10 or more years older:among women aged 15–19 yearsamong women aged 20-24 years19.9%17.5%
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