The World Bank says child marriage is costing African countries at least $60 billion in lost lifetime earnings, a figure it says exceeds the aid the continent receives each year.
In its report, the bank said the damage goes beyond income. It linked early marriage to school dropout rates, teen pregnancy and poor health outcomes, warning that the practice is also slowing broader development.
Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest child marriage rates in the world, with more than 3 million girls — about one in three — marrying before the age of 18. The report said only four in 10 African girls finish secondary school, limiting their chances in the labour market.
Quentin Wodon, a World Bank economist and lead author of the report, said: “On average, women who have a secondary education are more likely to work and they earn twice as much as those with no education.” He added that estimates for 12 countries, which account for half of Africa’s population, point to $63 billion in lost earnings and human capital wealth through the impact on girls’ education.
The bank said those losses could be even higher across the continent, potentially reaching twice that amount and standing at three times the $40 billion in foreign aid given to sub-Saharan Africa in 2016.
The report also said child marriage contributes to high fertility rates and population growth. It argued that ending the practice would raise living standards, especially for the poorest households.
Eighteen of the world’s top 20 countries for early marriage are in Africa. Niger, Central African Republic, Chad, Burkina Faso, Mali, South Sudan and Guinea were listed among the countries where more than half of girls are married before 18.
Gender experts say early marriage blocks progress in education, health and employment, while also harming the next generation. They say child brides face a higher risk of dropping out of school, pregnancy complications, domestic violence and children who are more likely to be underweight and less likely to survive beyond age five.
Lakshmi Sundaram, executive director of Girls Not Brides, said: “When it comes to policy making, money talks. What this research shows is that ending child marriage is not only the right thing to do, it is also the smart thing to do.” She said the findings showed African governments must act on their commitments and invest more to end child marriage.
“By ridding Africa of child marriage, we can help alleviate poverty and ensure that girls everywhere have access to a brighter future,” Sundaram said.
