Child Marriage Rates Increase in Gaza Amidst Conflict
Child marriage rises in Gaza: over 20% of recent marriages involve girls under 18, driven by conflict & economic hardship.
Lauren Collins ·
Reports indicate a rise in child marriages in Gaza following the recent conflict. Data from the Supreme Shariah Court in Gaza shows that 20.6% of marriages recorded in 2024 and 2025 involved girls under 18, including 627 marriages of girls under 15.
This represents an increase from 17.8% in 2022, reversing a previous downward trend. The actual rate may be higher due to unregistered marriages during wartime conditions.
Supreme Shariah Court
The minimum legal age for marriage in Gaza is 17, with exceptions. The United Nations and humanitarian organizations classify marriages of individuals under 18 as early marriage.
Displacement, economic hardship, and the disruption of education are cited as contributing factors to this trend. Families facing destitution may view early marriage as a means of providing perceived security or reducing financial burdens.