Prevalence of Early Marriage of Girls and its Determinant Factors in Iranian Counties in 2016

Marriage is one of the most essential and long-lasting interpersonal relationships that is truly important in the transition to adulthood. This study investigates the rate of girls' early marriage in 2016 and its indicators in the country's counties. The research method of the article is a secondary analysis of 2016 census data. The results designate a higher predominance of girls' early marriage in the northeastern and northwestern regions of the country. The outcomes of multivariate analysis showed that among the studied factors, the level of education (negative effect), the ratio of rurality and the social pressure to marry on men (positive effect), respectively, have the most significant influence on the early marriage of girls aged 10-14 years. Concerning the early marriage of 15-19-year-old girls, education (negative effect) and the social pressure to marry on men and rurality ratio (positive effect) had the most impact. Consequently, education is a protective factor against early marriage. In contrast, rurality and the social pressure to marry on men are major drivers of early marriage.