India - mean age at marriage by region and gender 2014

As per the results of a survey among rural and urban Indian households about the average age of marriage in 2013-14, the average age of males at marriage was about 26 years old, while for women, it was about 22 years in rural areas.

Age of marriage

   To prevent child marriages and abuse of minors, the Indian law prescribes a minimum age of marriage for men and women at 21 and 18, respectively. Many campaigns and counselling programs are carried out to empower young girls and provide education and awareness so that that they are not influenced into marriage early in their lives.

Arranged marriage

Most marriages in India are arranged by the families. Traditionally, for the purpose of marriage, a marriage broker would be approached by the respective families seeking partner for their children. In recent years, online matrimony services that provides both matchmaking and marriage services globally has gained popularity with increasing numbers of registered users.

Average age at marriage across rural and urban India in 2013-14, by gender*

Characteristic	Male	Female
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Release date

June 2016

More information

Region

India

Survey time period

November 2013 to May 2014

Number of respondents

105,483 respondents

Special properties

Among rural and urban households across 28 states

Method of interview

Face-to-face interview

Supplementary notes

*According to the source, this data was for marriages five years prior to the survey period.
Note: The legal age for marriage in India is 18 years for women and 21 years for men, although there are exceptions under the Muslim and Hindu Marriage Act respectively.

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