The Union Cabinet yesterday approved a law to raise the age of marriage for women from 18 to 21. Many have come out in support and opposition to the central government’s decision. According to government sources, the amendment bill will be tabled in Parliament next week.
Let us look at the legal age of marriage in different countries.
Estonia
Estonia has the lowest age of marriage in European countries. You can get married here at the age of 15 with the consent of your parents.
UK
The age of marriage in England and Wales is 18 years. However, the law allows for marriage at the age of 16 or 17 with the consent of the parents.
Trinidad and Tobago
The official age of marriage for a man and a woman in the Caribbean country of Trinidad and Tobago is 18 years. However, Muslims and Hindus have separate marriage laws. A Muslim woman can get married at the age of 12 and a man at the age of 16. In Hinduism, a man must be 18 and a woman 14 years old.
U.S.
The age of marriage in the US varies from state to state and state to state. The minimum age for marriage is 18 in most states. But you have to be 19 in Nebraska and 21 in Mississippi.
China
In China, there is always an age limit for marriage. Currently, a man has to be 22 years old and a woman 20 years old. However, discussions are underway to lower the age of marriage.
Niger
According to the Niger Civil Code, the age of marriage for men is 18 years and for women it is 15 years. According to a UNICEF report, Niger has one of the highest rates of child marriage in the world.
Content highlights: legal marriage ages across globe as india proposes to raise
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