Gujarat sees rise in early marriages and teenage pregnancies: NFHS-6 survey

Early marriages and teenage pregnancies continue to remain a concern in Gujarat, with the latest National Family Health Survey (NFHS-6) highlighting that a significant number of adolescents are getting married and becoming parents before the legal age.

According to the survey, 5.6% of girls aged 15-19 in Gujarat have been pregnant. The incidence is considerably higher in rural areas, where 7% of adolescent girls have been pregnant, compared to 3.4% in urban areas.

Child marriage more prevalent in rural Gujarat

The survey found that 18% of women aged 20-24 were married before the legal age of 18 years.

The prevalence of child marriage among women stood at 12.5% in urban Gujarat, while it increased to 21.4% in rural areas, indicating that early marriage remains more common in villages.

The report also found that men are not immune to the trend. Among those aged 25-29, nearly 24% were married before the legal age of 21 years. The proportion was 21.1% in urban areas and 26.9% in rural Gujarat.

Teenage pregnancy poses serious health risks

Health experts warn that girls aged 15-19 are often not physically prepared for pregnancy. Teenage mothers face a higher risk of anaemia, complications during childbirth, excessive bleeding and maternal mortality compared to adult women.

Babies born to adolescent mothers are more likely to be premature, have low birth weight and face developmental or long-term health complications. Experts also caution that early motherhood can increase the risk of mental health issues, including stress, anxiety and depression.

Experts call for greater awareness

Public health experts say the findings underline the need for stronger awareness campaigns, improved access to education and healthcare, and stricter enforcement of laws prohibiting child marriage. They believe these measures are essential to reducing teenage pregnancies and improving maternal and child health outcomes across Gujarat.