Marriage age
Undoubtedly, the number one problem of Bangladesh is the population explosion. The country has to face various problems due to the population boom. Lowering the minimum age for getting married can be an effective measure in order to control the present population increment. Virtually, all fertility occurs within the wedlock in our country. Fertility rate, however, is closely related to marriage age. As a result, the upward and downward change in marriage age is related to productive behaviour.
Bangladesh is in the lowest rung among the South Asian countries in fixing the minimum marriage age. In 1984, through a government order, the minimum age was fixed at 18 years and 21 years for females and males respectively. A long time has gone by. In the mean time, health, education in Bangladesh have improved and poverty has been reduced to some extent but no change in the minimum marriage age has been made.
There are some instances of positive changes brought about by upward adjustment of marriage age. China passed laws fixing the minimum marriage age, first at 18 years for women and 20 years for men in 1950,then at 20 for women and 22 for men. Between 1972 and 1985 China's average fertility rate dropped from 5.7 to 2.1. The World Bank estimated that if Bangladesh adopts the Sri Lankan marriage age, 25 years, families will have fewer children.
If the government increases the present minimum marriage age to 20 and 23 years respectively for women and men and implements the law, some positive changes will take place.
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