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Beyond the Minimum: The Impact of Indonesia’s Marriage Age Law on Child Marriage and Education

Author

Listed:
  • Adrianna Bella

    (Faculty of Business and Law, Curtin University & ARC Centre of Excellence for the Elimination of Violence Against Women)

  • Nicole Black

    (Centre for Health Economics, Monash Business School, Monash University)

  • Teguh Dartanto

    (Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Indonesia)

  • Danusha Jayawardana

    (Centre for Health Economics, Monash Business School, Monash University)

  • Dennis Petrie

    (Centre for Health Economics, Monash Business School, Monash University)

Abstract

Child marriage remains a significant global issue, violating human rights and limiting development outcomes, particularly for girls. This study examines the impact of Indonesia’s first minimum marriage age (MMA) law, which in 1975 set the minimum age of marriage for girls at 16 years. The analysis relies on a regression discontinuity design to estimate the effects of the policy on child marriage and girls’ education, with specific adjustments to address non-random heaping in reported years of birth. Using data from the 2018–2021 Indonesia National Socio-economic Survey (SUSE-NAS), we find that the MMA law reduced marriages under the age of 16 by 18% and increased the age at first marriage by about five months. It also had a broader effect by delaying marriages beyond the legal threshold. The effects were stronger in regions with entrenched child-marriage norms and in urban settings. We also find evidence that the MMA policy had positive effects on educational attainment, particularly in obtaining a tertiary degree.

Suggested Citation

  • Adrianna Bella & Nicole Black & Teguh Dartanto & Danusha Jayawardana & Dennis Petrie, 2025. "Beyond the Minimum: The Impact of Indonesia’s Marriage Age Law on Child Marriage and Education," Papers 2025-17, Centre for Health Economics, Monash University.
    • Handle: RePEc:mhe:chemon:2025-17
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    More about this item

    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • J12 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Marriage; Marital Dissolution; Family Structure
    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration

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