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Friday, Mar. 17, 2023

Does Nevada have the highest rate of child marriage in the US?


yes

Between 2000 and 2018, Nevada had by far the highest rate of child marriage in the U.S., according to a study published by the Journal of Adolescent Health in December 2021.

Nevada’s per capita rate of marriage for those under 18 was .671%— nearly double Idaho’s rate of .338%, which ranked second.

Over this period, researchers estimated that nearly 300,000 minors were wed in the U.S.

Nevada had no formal marriage age requirement until 2019, when it approved a law prohibiting individuals under 17 from marrying.

Currently, 43 states permit some form of child marriage, according to the women’s rights organization Equity Now. Each state has specific rules regarding minimum age, parental consent and court approval requirements.

Child marriage remains a common practice in much of the world: globally, 19% of women aged 20-24 married before the age of 18, according to a 2022 report from UNICEF.

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The Nevada Independent is a nonpartisan, nonprofit news and opinion website founded in 2017 by veteran political journalist and commentator Jon Ralston. The site and its supporting channels are focused on ethical, unbiased and transparent journalism. In general, we aim to gather and disseminate important public information and increase civic engagement. We are supported by corporate donations, memberships, event ticket sales and sponsorships and foundation grants. We disclose all our members and donors. Donors have no influence over our content, ever. The Nevada Independent is the dba for Nevada News Bureau, Inc., a 501(c)3 nonprofit founded in 2010 by Elizabeth Thompson, who now serves as one of The Nevada Independent's managing directors and its Editor.

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