More Than 200,000 Minors Were Married Between 2000 & 2015 In The U.S.

Between 2000 and 2015, more than 200,000 minors were married in the U.S. Most minor marriages involved girls, and more than 80% of minor marriages were underage children married to an adult. As of 2018, approximately 70.9 million underage girls were married, worldwide.

In the U.S., four states (Delaware, Minnesota, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania) have completely banned underage marriages. Most states have a minimum age of 18, but allow loopholes, such as parental consent, that allow for underage marriages. Around the world, as many as 20 countries have a minimum age of marriage, without obtaining special . . .