The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has warned that child marriage remains one of the most serious violations of human rights, with more than 640 million women and girls around the world having been married during childhood.
The figure highlights the continuing global scale of child marriage, which affects girls’ rights, education, health and future opportunities. Marriage during childhood can expose girls to significant social and economic challenges and can limit their ability to make independent decisions about their lives.
According to UNFPA, the persistence of child marriage remains a major concern despite international efforts to protect children and promote gender equality. The practice is particularly harmful because it often interrupts girls’ education and increases their vulnerability to poverty and other forms of inequality.
The United Nations agency has repeatedly called for stronger action to prevent child marriage and ensure that girls can remain in school, access essential services and make decisions about their futures without coercion.
The latest figure underscores the need for governments, communities and international organisations to intensify efforts against child marriage and strengthen protections for children, particularly girls at risk of being married at a young age.