Page 29 - IJPS-11-3

International Journal of
Population Studies Nuptiality patterns among Ethiopian women

addition to socioeconomic inequalities. A similar finding campaigns, and policy reforms, to address disparities in
has been reported in a study conducted in Ethiopia, community education and promote opportunities that
which showed that the potency of socioeconomic factors enable individuals to make autonomous decisions about
largely determines the reproductive transition of youths their marital futures. The general effect of unidentified
(Dejene & Gurmu, 2023). The discriminatory effects of factors contributing to a reduction in marriage incidence
community education, household wealth, and occupation was notably significant at both ages 15 and 20. Therefore,
significantly contributed to the reduction in cumulative although the specific unknown factors responsible for the
marriage incidence at age 15 across birth cohorts. These gap in cumulative marriage incidence at these ages between
factors had greater impacts on the recent cohort compared the cohorts remain unclear, their impact cannot be ignored.
to the earlier cohort in determining the rate of entry to
first marriage, in the absence of socioeconomic inequality 4.4. Marital stability
across cohorts. This means that the gap in the rate of first Early marriage has a significant impact on divorce and
marriage at age 15 would have widened due to differences remarriage rates. A survey conducted in Thailand showed
in the potency of these factors. an increase in the number of divorced and widowed
Christian believers were more likely to postpone women who have remarried, rising from 60.5% in 2001
marriage until after age 20, whereas other religious groups to 71.3% in 2016. Concurrently, married women who had
actively encouraged earlier marriage. Muslim women never married increased dramatically from 8.8% in 2001
are significantly more likely to marry at a younger age to 21.6% in 2016 (Pothisiri et al., 2023). In Nigeria, the
compared to women from other religious groups (Islam crude rate of marital breakup was 11/1000 people, with
et al., 2016). Similarly, in Bangladesh, religion has a a marriage dissolution rate of 29.5/1000 among those
significant impact on early marriage, with Muslims more who had been married. The south-eastern region had the
likely to marry early compared to individuals from other lowest rate of marital divorce, whereas the north-eastern
religious groups (Sarkar, 2009). The influence of wealthy and southern regions had the highest rates (Ntoimo &
households contributes to a decrease in early marriages in Akokuwebe, 2014).
the earlier cohort compared to the later cohort. Ethiopia also exhibits a high rate of marital breakdown,
The impact of community education on marriage rates with 45% of first marriages resulting in divorce. It was
becomes evident when examining the discriminatory estimated that 25% of married women had divorced during
effects at the ages of 15 and 25, alongside other predictor their first marriage. This figure is higher than the 2019
variables. This finding emphasizes the significant role EDHS mini-report, which indicated that 6% of Ethiopian
that community literacy plays in shaping and reducing women aged 15 – 49 were divorced or separated (Asfaw
the incidence of marriages, surpassing the impact of & Alene, 2023). The rate of divorce in Ethiopia decreased
other factors. In contrast, communities with lower from 8.7% to 6.3% between the 2000 and 2016 EDHSs.
levels of education may experience higher rates of early
marriages. Limited access to education can result in fewer 4.5. Strengths and limitations
opportunities for personal and professional development, This study compared changes in nuptiality patterns
leading individuals to prioritize marriage at a younger age between birth cohorts within the context of socioeconomic
due to cultural, economic, or social pressures. shifts and policy changes. Unlike previous studies that
The results suggest that communities with higher simply examined the average age at first marriage at a given
education level display a lower incidence of early marriages. point in time, this study provided a more comprehensive
This may be due to better educational opportunities within comparison between the two cohorts. In addition, the use
these communities, which promote personal growth, career of large, cross-sectional nationally representative datasets
development, and the pursuit of individual aspirations enhances the applicability of the findings to similar
before marriage. The significant role of community populations.
literacy in influencing marriage patterns emphasizes However, this study’s cross-sectional design has
the importance of promoting accessible and quality limitations, including the exclusion of experiences from
education for all. By investing in education, communities deceased and migrant women. Furthermore, the analysis
can empower individuals to make informed decisions focused solely on socioeconomic and demographic
about their lives, including marriage, and alleviate societal characteristics as explanatory variables. In particular,
pressures that perpetuate early marriage practices. among older and less educated respondents, retrospective
These findings highlight the need for targeted reporting of age at first marriage may introduce a recall to
interventions, such as educational initiatives, awareness potential misreporting and digit preference issues.

Volume 11 Issue 3 (2025) 23 https://doi.org/10.36922/ijps.3531