Final-Economic Impact of Child Marriage

About

Child marriage remains widespread in Lao PDR and is rising among younger cohorts, with 30.5 per cent of women aged 20–24 married before 18 and 17.4 per cent giving birth before 18. This study provides the most comprehensive national analysis to date of how child marriage affects girls, their children, and the country’s development. The evidence shows that marrying early sharply increases fertility, drives early childbirths, and significantly heightens risks for under-five mortality and stunting. Girls who marry between 15 and 17 are 75 times more likely to be out of school, dramatically reducing their lifetime earnings and economic opportunities. These patterns are most acute among poorer and rural households, meaning the poorest communities bear the greatest burdens of child marriage.

The resulting economic losses are substantial. Each year, Lao PDR forfeits an estimated USD 22 million in women’s earnings due to early school leaving, alongside nearly USD 20 million in losses linked to preventable child deaths and stunting. While child marriage is fundamentally a violation of rights, this report demonstrates that ending the practice is also a smart investment in the country’s human capital. The findings call for strengthened multisectoral action, with priority on keeping girls in school, expanding adolescent health and protection services, addressing social norms, and targeting support to the poorest and most affected communities.