28 percent of women who married in 2016 in Turkey were underage: Study

ISTANBUL

Some 28.2 percent of women who got married in 2016 in Turkey were underage, while the ratio of men in the same category was 5.6 percent, according to figures released by the Turkish Statistics Institute (TÜİK) under the Family Structure Research category.

Based on statistics regarding first marriages, women and men mostly got married between the ages of 20 and 24 in Turkey, with the percentage of women who got married aged 20-24 being 34.3 percent. The ratio in the same category for men was 41.3 percent. 

Some 59.9 percent of first marriages were arranged by families, according to the TÜİK statistics. Some 47.8 percent of these arranged marriages were done with the consultation of those being wed, while 12.1 percent were arranged without seeking the opinion of those being wed. 

The percentage of couples who chose their spouses with their own will and with the consent of their family was 30.2 percent, while 2.5 percent of couples got married without their family’s consent. 

TÜİK also noted that statistics show that the ratio of arranged marriages falls as educational levels rise. 

Meanwhile, the figures also touched on causes of divorce. Accordingly, the main reason for couples to divorce was “irresponsible and careless behavior,” accounting for 50.9 percent of divorces.

The TÜİK statistics also noted that respondents said the most suitable marriage age for women is between 20 and 24, according to 46.9 percent of those polled. The most suitable marriage age for men is between 25 and 29, according to 53.9 percent.