Effects of Educational and Socio-economic Factors on Child Marriages in India: A Statistical Analysis

Abstract

Child marriage poses a significant threat to a child’s freedom, right to education, health and overall development potential. This study examines the influence of educational factors and socio-economic development on the prevalence of child marriage in India. Using reliable data sources, a Pearson product–moment correlation analysis and a two-tailed significance P test were conducted to reveal relationships between child marriage, education and socio-economic factors. Additionally, artificial neural network structures were employed to develop a regression model that further validates these associations. This study demonstrates that regions with strong educational systems, high enrolment rates (especially for girls) and increased educational spending significantly reduce child marriage prevalence. In contrast, high student-to-teacher ratios and dropout rates exacerbate the issue. The analysis reveals a strong negative correlation between child marriage prevalence and socio-economic factors such as urbanisation, life expectancy, per capita income and the Human Development Index. Conversely, factors such as Hindu population percentage and infant mortality rates show a significant positive association. These findings underscore the necessity of investing in education and promoting socio-economic development to combat the deeply harmful practice of child marriage. Targeted interventions in these areas have the potential to protect children’s rights and create a brighter future for generations to come.