Regional Inequalities in Age at First Marriage: Evidence from Rural and Urban Howrah, India

ABSTRACT: The present study aimed to examines regional inequalities in age at first marriage among Bengali-speaking women in Howrah district, West Bengal, It hypothesized that women in urban areas were more likely to marry after 18 years compared to rural women. The analysis draws on cross-sectional data collected from 665 ever-married women, of whom 60.15% resided in urban areas and 39.85% in rural areas. Bivariate analysis, independent sample t-tests, and binary logistic regression were employed, complemented by qualitative in-depth interviews from each region. The mean age at marriage was 22.25 years (±4.4), with a pronounced rural–urban regional difference: rural women married significantly earlier (19.83 years) than urban women (23.85 years) (t = 12.80; p < 0.001). Nearly 48.30% of rural women were married at or below 18 years, compared to only 7.25% of urban women (p < 0.001). Logistic regression results reveal strong and persistent regional disparities. In the unadjusted Model I, urban women had significantly higher odds of marrying after 18 years than rural women (OR = 11.95; p < 0.001). After adjusting for socio-demographic, familial, and economic factors in Model II, the association remained robust (OR = 9.67; p < 0.001). Generational patterns were non linear: women from Generation II were more likely to marry after 18 years (OR = 1.09; p < 0.01), while those from Generation III had significantly lower odds (OR = 0.39; p < 0.01). Higher education of respondents (OR = 1.66; p < 0.01), respondents’ fathers (OR = 3.12; p < 0.01), and mothers (OR = 3.58; p < 0.01) substantially increased the likelihood of delayed marriage. Respondents (OR = 1.51; p < 0.05) and respondents’ fathers (OR = 1.92; p < 0.05) with white-collar jobs significantly increase the likelihood of being delayed in marriage. Respondents belonging to the upper wealth quintile (OR = 1.92; p < 0.05) were more likely to marry at later ages. Respondents with ≥3 siblings(OR = 0.65; p < 0.05)and those whose husbands had 1–2 siblings (OR = 0.37; p < 0.01) and ≥3 siblings (OR = 0.39; p < 0.01) were significantly less likely to marry after 18 years compared to the reference category. The qualitative findings reveal the intersection of socio-cultural and kinship obligation in marital timing. The finding underscores that delaying marriage requires interventions beyond legal enforcement and schooling alone, highlighting the need for rural-specific, intergenerational, and economically grounded policy strategies.