Regional Differentials of Age at First Marriage among Women in Bangladesh

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine various socio-economic and demographic factors associated with age at first marriage among Bangladeshi women in different divisions. For this purpose the present study utilizes the nationally representative survey data of Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey, (BDHS-2007). The cross-tabulation analysis has been used to estimate the factors affected the use of contraception in Bangladesh. Respondent‟s education, husband‟s education, husband‟s occupation, religion, type place of respondent, socioeconomic status, working status of respondent and access to mass media have significant effect on age at first marriage in all divisions. The study shows those respondents who have no education, married at early age and the respondents who have at least secondary education, married at later age in all divisions. Similar pattern to marry at early age has been seen in case of illiterate and service holder husbands. The study also shows that maximum respondents who are not currently working and have no access in mass media married before or at median age (15 years).