Kingdom
17% Drop in Underage Marriage Authorization Requests in 2024
According to statistical data on underage marriage requests, 55.6% of the applications are concentrated in five judicial districts: Marrakech, Fès, Kénitra, El Jadida, and Beni Mellal.
The Supreme Council of the Judicial Power announces a 17% decrease in requests for authorization of underage marriage in 2024 compared to 2023.
Despite this decline, the phenomenon persists with strong social implications. Girls represent 98.5% of the requests, amounting to 16,730 cases, compared to only 255 for boys.
Requests from women have decreased, while those from men have increased by more than 33%.
Five judicial districts account for more than half of the requests: Marrakech, Fès, Kénitra, El Jadida, and Béni Mellal. Errachidia shows the highest acceptance rate (81%), compared to 20% in Settat.
The majority of cases come from rural areas (78%), where the acceptance rate remains high.
The report emphasizes that early marriages primarily affect rural areas, marked by poverty and school dropout.
The CSPJ calls for integrated public policies to address the root causes of the phenomenon.
It insists on the schooling of girls, the fight against illiteracy, and changing social mentalities.
