This table provides metadata for the actual indicator available from United States statistics closest to the corresponding global SDG indicator. Please note that even when the global SDG indicator is fully available from American statistics, this table should be consulted for information on national methodology and other American-specific metadata information.
This table provides information on metadata for SDG indicators as defined by the UN Statistical Commission. Complete global metadata is provided by the UN Statistics Division.
| Indicator |
Indicator 5.3.1: Proportion of women aged 20–24 years who were married or in a union before age 15 and before age 18 |
|---|---|
| Target |
Target 5.3: Eliminate all harmful practices, such as child, early and forced marriage and female genital mutilation |
| Organisation |
United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) |
| Definition and concepts |
Definition: Proportion of women aged 20-24 years who were married or in a union before age 15 and before age 18. Concepts: Both formal (i.e., marriages) and informal unions are covered under this indicator. Informal unions are generally defined as those in which a couple lives together for some time, intends to have a lasting relationship, but for which there has been no formal civil or religious ceremony (i.e., cohabitation). |
| Unit of measure |
Percent (%) |
| Data sources |
Household surveys such as UNICEF-supported Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) and Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) have been collecting data on this indicator in low- and middle-income countries since around the late 1980s. In some countries, such data are also collected through national censuses, other national household surveys, or administrative data. |
| Data providers |
National Statistical Offices (in most cases) |
| Comment and limitations |
There are existing tools and mechanisms for data collection that countries have implemented to monitor the situation with regards to this indicator. The modules used to collect information on marital status among women and men of reproductive age (15-49 years) in the DHS and MICS have been fully harmonized. The measure of child marriage is retrospective in nature by design, capturing age at first marriage among a population that has completed the risk period (i.e., adult women). While it is also possible to measure the current marital status of girls under age 18, such measures would provide an underestimate of the level of child marriage, as girls who are not currently married may still do so before they turn 18. For more details on interpretation and common pitfalls for this indicator, see: A Generation to Protect: Monitoring violence exploitation and abuse of children within the SDG framework (UNICEF 2020). |
| Method of computation |
Number of women aged 20-24 who were first married or in union before age 15 (or before age 18) divided by the total number of women aged 20-24 in the population multiplied by 100. |
| Metadata update |
2024-07-29 |
| International organisations(s) responsible for global monitoring |
United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) |
| Related indicators |
Not applicable |
| UN designated tier |
2 |