A new World Bank report has shown that child marriage will cost African countries tens of billions of dollars in lost earnings and human capital.
This was contained in a publication ahead of the African Union Commission’s second African Girls Summit on ending child marriage taking place in Ghana this week.
The World Bank says young brides are more likely to drop out of school, meaning they are likely to earn less money.
On average, women who have a secondary education are more likely to work and they earn twice as much as those with no education, the report says.
According to “Educating Girls and Ending Child Marriage: A Priority for Africa” report, more than three million (or one third of) girls in Sub-Saharan Africa marry before their 18th birthday each year.
Estimates for 12 nations, accounting for half of the African continent’s population, suggest that through its impact on girls’ education, child marriage is costing these countries $63bn (£49bn), it added.
“Primary education for girls is simply not sufficient. Girls reap the biggest benefits of education when they are able to complete secondary school, but we know that girls very often don’t stay in school if they marry early,” said Quentin Wodon, Lead Economist at the World Bank and principal author of the report.
Child marriage also leads to high fertility rates and population growth, the report pointed out.
According to UNICEF, gender inequality and the low value placed on girls underlie the practice. While many African countries have achieved gender parity in primary education, girls lag behind boys at the secondary level.
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