Global AveragesGlobal Averages

    Global Average Marriage Age

    Last updated: February 13, 2026

    27.2 years

    years

    The global average age at first marriage is approximately 27.2 years — 29.0 for men and 25.4 for women. Nordic countries marry latest (34+), while in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, average ages are below 22. The global trend is steadily rising.

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    Historical Trend

    Source: UN

    Global Average Marriage Age by Country

    Country Value (years) ↓Source
    Sweden34.5SCB
    South Korea33.7KOSIS
    France33.4INSEE
    Germany33.1Destatis
    United Kingdom31.8ONS
    Japan31.1MHLW
    Australia30.7ABS
    United States30.1Census
    China28.4NBS
    Brazil27.5IBGE
    Saudi Arabia25.4GASTAT
    India22.7NFHS
    Pakistan22.1PBS
    Nigeria20.4NBS

    Why This Average Exists

    Marriage age trends reflect changing social norms, women's empowerment, education access, and economic conditions. Later marriage correlates with lower birth rates and higher women's education.

    Factors That Affect Global Average Marriage Age

    • Education access
    • Economic independence
    • Cultural norms
    • Urbanization
    • Legal frameworks
    • Contraception access

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Methodology & Data Sources

    The data presented on this page is compiled from publicly available datasets published by international organizations including the World Bank, World Health Organization (WHO), International Labour Organization (ILO), United Nations, NASA, and national statistical agencies.

    Global averages are calculated using population-weighted or arithmetic means depending on the metric. Country-level data reflects the most recent available figures, typically from 2024–2024. Where gaps exist, the latest available data point is used.

    All figures are subject to revision as source organizations update their datasets. For the most authoritative data, we encourage consulting the original sources linked in the table above.

    Further Reading