Early marriage, or marrying at a young age, remains one of Indonesia's most pressing social challenges, especially in rural areas. A recent study led by Maya Fitria from the Faculty of Public Health, Universitas Sumatera Utara, in collaboration with researchers from the National Research and Innovation Agency, Universitas Airlangga, and Universitas Ahmad Dahlan, found that educational attainment significantly influences the likelihood of early marriage. Using big data from the 2019 Government Performance and Accountability Survey, the study clearly demonstrates that the higher a girl’s education level, the lower her risk of marrying before the age of 19.

 

Early marriage in villages is more than a statistical issue. Around 11.9% of adolescent girls in rural Indonesia marry before the age of 19, meaning nearly one in ten girls marry while still in their teenage years—at a time when they should be focusing on education and personal development. “Education is not just a number or a degree; it is a tool of empowerment that enables young women to make informed life choices and understand the consequences of marrying too early,” said Maya Fitria.

 

Globally, early marriage is also a persistent issue, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. In Southeast Asia, including Indonesia, the rate of early marriage remains high and contributes to increased adolescent birth rates, which further worsen maternal and child health problems. This study therefore underscores education as a key preventive measure.

 

The findings are striking: girls who only complete primary school are up to 449 times more likely to marry young compared to those who attend university. This stark gap highlights the unequal opportunities faced by girls who drop out early. “When a girl is deprived of proper education, she is likely to have limited life choices and become trapped in a cycle of early marriage,” Maya added.

 

However, the roots of early marriage go beyond economic reasons. Many families still cite social norms and traditions as their main motivations for marrying off their daughters early. “Cultural and social pressures are very strong in rural areas. Many parents believe early marriage is a way to protect family honor and shield their daughters from social stigma, such as premarital relationships,” Maya explained. This reveals the complexity of the issue, which cannot be solved by economic interventions alone.

 

Early marriage has far-reaching consequences. Besides the physical health risks such as dangerous pregnancy and childbirth complications, young brides often experience mental and social pressures. They lose the chance to continue their education, develop skills, and prepare for independent and empowered adulthood. “Early marriage robs not only childhood and adolescence but also the opportunity for a bright and promising future,” Maya stressed.

 

Beyond personal consequences, early marriage contributes to generational poverty. Girls who marry young typically have low education, minimal job skills, and high economic dependency on their spouses or families. This often leads to an entrenched cycle of inequality.

 

To address early marriage, this research recommends focusing on two main strategies: improving access and quality of education, and shifting cultural and social norms. “Education is the long-term key to preventing early marriage. The government must ensure that girls—especially in rural areas—can pursue at least secondary or higher education with sufficient support,” Maya emphasized. Furthermore, she pointed out the crucial role of religious and community leaders in influencing public perception.

 

“Religious and traditional leaders are highly respected figures in society. If they advocate for delaying marriage until the appropriate age, this could accelerate social norm change,” she said. This approach should also be supported by widespread educational campaigns through mass media and social media, so that information on the harms of early marriage and the value of education can reach all levels of society, especially parents who often make the final decisions regarding their children's marriages.

 

Interestingly, the study also found that employment status and family income do not always directly correlate with early marriage—a finding that challenges the common assumption that poverty is the main driver. “In a culturally and religiously diverse country like Indonesia, social and cultural factors actually play a stronger role than economics alone,” Maya explained.

 

Moreover, the age of first sexual experience is strongly associated with early marriage. Adolescents who engage in sexual activity between ages 10–14 face a significantly higher risk of early marriage, further emphasizing the need for comprehensive sex education and access to reproductive health information as part of the prevention effort.

 

Maya concluded with a hopeful message: “We believe that with strong collaboration between the government, communities, and educational institutions, we can improve this situation. Quality education and growing social awareness will pave the way for the younger generation to break free from the cycle of early marriage and build a brighter future.”