Ethiopia Cuts Child Marriage Rate to 32% in 2025

LATEST MATERIAL CHANGE

What changed?

Ethiopia has lowered the proportion of young women married before 18 from 40 % in 2016 to 32 % in 2025, a milestone highlighted on International Day of the Girl. The decline reflects coordinated action by the government, community groups, and international partners. UNICEF, alongside the Ethiopian government, is preparing a second National Costed Roadmap to End Child Marriage and Female Genital Mutilation for 2026‑2031, which will set priority actions and accountability mechanisms. The National Alliance to End Child Marriage and FGM brings together ministries, religious leaders, women’s groups and development partners to sustain progress. Funding from the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation, the Gates Foundation and others is being mobilised to expand proven interventions. Continued investment in girls’ education, health and protection is essential to keep the trend moving upward.

Why it matters

Reducing child marriage boosts girls’ health, education, and economic participation, strengthening Ethiopia’s social fabric and national development prospects.