Legal Age Of Marriage Research Articles

Exploitation and Trafficking of Women and Girls for Forced Marriage in India

ABSTRACT Trafficking of women and girls for forced marriage in India is a growing phenomenon. Acute poverty, dowry practices, and precarious family socioeconomic conditions after the COVID-19 pandemic in India have resulted in evidence that young girls are being sold and lured through false promises of employment and good quality of life for the purpose of exploitation. Studying the experiences of 34 Indian trafficking victims, this paper explores and analyses the dynamics of human trafficking for the purpose of marriage and to describe their experiences and health conditions (physical and mental) during the trafficking. Findings revealed that victims were forced to marry before reaching the legal marriage age (18 years), and were subjected to multiple forms of violence, including verbal abuse, threats, physical and sexual violence, which co-occurred in diverse contexts at work and resulted in a wide range of physical health consequences, from head injuries to broken bones and mental health problems. The study concluded on the need for strong implementation of law enforcement in the region to stop the trafficking for forced marriage, including a highly needed intensive awareness program to eradicate patriarchal attitudes and practices on the commoditisation of women, dowry practices, and curb the trafficking network.

PERLINDUNGAN HUKUM TERHADAP PEREMPUAN DIBAWAH UMUR AKIBAT PERKAWINAN DINI PERSPEKTIF MAQASHID SYARIAH

This study aims to evaluate the legal protection for underage girls vulnerable to early marriage in Indonesia, analyzed from the perspective of maqashid syariah. Early marriage has shown adverse impacts on health, education, and psychological well-being, raising concerns about the sufficiency of existing legal protections. This normative study employs a conceptual approach by examining Indonesian regulations, including Law No. 16 of 2019, which amends Law No. 1 of 1974 on Marriage, assessing its alignment with maqashid syariah principles that emphasize the protection of religion (hifz al-din), life (hifz al-nafs), intellect (hifz al-aql), progeny (hifz al-nasl), and wealth (hifz al-mal). Although the legal age for marriage is set at 19, the provision for marriage dispensations with court approval presents a gap that facilitates child marriages. The findings reveal that dispensations are frequently granted without considering the long-term physical and mental health consequences for young girls. This study underscores the need for stricter regulation on marriage dispensations and advocates for community education programs involving religious and educational leaders to raise awareness about the negative effects of early marriage. The recommendations align with broader efforts to protect girls through enhanced community engagement, rigorous oversight, and legal enforcement based on maqashid syariah principles, to effectively prevent child marriages in Indonesia.

Agency Or The Age Of Marriage: A Study Of Female Characters In Githa Hariharan’s The Thousand Faces Of Night

The present paper is written in the backdrop of the new legislation that specified women’s legal age of marriage in India as 21 and the debates it raised. The paper basically takes the view that women’s liberation is not tied with her legal age of consent or educational qualifications alone. By analyzing three female characters of the novel The Thousand Faces of Night by Githa Hariharan, it argues that women’s liberation is a question of women gaining agency. The first part of the paper gives a brief description of the ongoing debate about the legal age of marriage for women. The second part of the paper is an analysis of the three major female characters of the novel The Thousand Faces of Night. These three characters are the female protagonist Devi, her mother Sita, and the female servant Mayamma. All of them have made sacrifices for their families and lost their own selves. Based on the analysis of these characters, the paper argues that education or the legal age of marriage alone cannot provide the circumstances for women’s liberation. The real issue is women gaining agency. The paper makes the conclusion that unless and until women gain agency, their struggle against patriarchy and the patriarchal family will be incomplete.

Multilevel survival analysis of the age at first birth among women in Ethiopia.

The age at first birth refers to the age at which a woman has her first child. It can significantly influence the demographic behavior of women and the general community. Moreover, teenage childbearing is a serious public health and social problem. The main objective of this study was to identify factors associated with age at first birth among women in Ethiopia. Secondary data on women were obtained from the 2019 Ethiopia Mini Demographic and Health Survey (EMDHS). These population-based cross-sectional data were downloaded from the Measure Demographic and Health Survey website (http://www.measuredhs.com). The study included a random sample of 8,885 women aged 15-49 years from 305 enumeration areas. A multilevel survival analysis was employed to identify the factors associated with teenage childbearing among women in Ethiopia. The majority (67.7%) of randomly sampled women were subjected to teenage childbearing. Women being rural dwellers [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.27, 95% CI: 1.05, 1.54]; women from middle-income families (HR = 1.43, 95% CI: 1.18, 1.74); and women from higher-income families (HR = 1.40, 95% CI: 1.15, 1.70) were associated with a higher risk of teenage childbearing. Conversely, contraception method users (HR = 0.87, 95% CI: 0.77, 0.99), Muslims (HR = 0.75, 95% CI: 0.64, 0.89), Orthodoxes (HR = 0.68, 95% CI: 0.57, 0.80), women with secondary education (HR = 0.53, 95% CI: 0.43, 0.65), women with higher education (HR = 0.28 (95% CI: 0.22, 0.37), and the higher age of household head (HR = 0.99, 95% CI: 0.98, 0.99) were associated with a lower risk of teenage childbearing among women in Ethiopia. Since the median age of women to have their first child was 18 years old, this study strongly suggests that stakeholders at the federal and regional levels must work closely toward enforcing the legal age of marriage and implementing national adolescents' and youths' targeted sexual and reproductive health programs.

Exploring the impact of perceived early marriage on women’s education and employment in Bangladesh through a mixed-methods study

Child marriage negatively affects women’s socio-economic empowerment, particularly in education and employment. This study aimed to explore women’ perspectives on the timing of their marriages, considering their educational and employment status at the time. It also sought to identify factors influencing early married women’s perception of their marriages as timely. We analyzed both quantitative and qualitative data. The quantitative data included a sample of 5,596 women aged 15–24 from the 2017/18 Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey. Additionally, we collected qualitative data through six in-depth interviews, two focus group discussions, and 13 key informant interviews. We used a multilevel mixed-effects Poisson regression model to examine the relationship between women’s formal employment, education, and child marriage. Thematic analysis was employed for the qualitative data. Around 62% of the total women analysed reported their married occurred early with the mean age at marriage was 15.2 years. Approximately 55% of the total early married women believed their marriages occurred at the right time, especially among those who were employed at the time of their marriage. Among this subset, we also noticed a higher likelihood of discontinuing work and education following marriage. Qualitative findings revealed reasons behind this perception, such as escaping poverty, safety concerns, limited job prospects, and the impact of non-marital relationship and societal norms. While many early-married women perceived their marriage as timely, particularly those initially employed, this decision often coincides with a subsequent withdrawal from work and education. This underscores the pressing need for policies and programs aimed at educating women about the legal age for marriage and the negative consequences associated with early marriage while also equipping them with knowledge and resources for informed decision-making.

Child marriages in Senegal: Qualitative study on the perceptions of adolescents in Kaolack and Gossas.

An estimated 650 million girls worldwide are married before their 18th birthday. The phenomenon is recurrent in sub-Saharan Africa with a prevalence of 18% and particularly in Senegal where one in three girls is married before the age of 18, i.e. a prevalence of 31%. Despite the legislative and legal arsenals, the laws on the legal age of marriage are not respected. The general objective of this study is to document the way in which gender norms define and influence the perceptions of adolescents in Gossas and Kaolack on child marriages and to collect possible solutions proposed to prevent/ reduce the practice. We used qualitative data collected in the two study sites. These were individual interviews with adolescents aged 10-19 (n=30) and focus groups (n=8) with the same target. The interviews were conducted in Wolof and transcribed into French then coded using Dedoose software. The results are presented for each age group and each gender then triangulated in order to highlight similarities and divergences according to the different perspectives. The results show that child marriages are rooted in patriarchal social and cultural norms, while reflecting gender inequalities. Thus, adolescents' arguments regarding the causes of child marriage align with those described in the literature on gender norms. Most adolescents cited poverty, tradition, fear of early pregnancy, and concern to preserve the girl's honor as the main factors contributing to the persistence of child marriages.

Protection of Children's Rights: A Review of Child Marriage Policies in Indonesia, Malaysia, and India

Introduction: Child marriage is a phenomenon that continues and develops, the low knowledge and understanding of the community towards the perception of marriage. Child marriage should not be allowed anywhere in the world as it is a practice that violates general human rights and discriminates against women. Purposes of the Research: In this research, the author will compare the prevention of child marriage in Indonesia, Malaysia, and India.Methods of Research: This research uses a normative juridical approach method. Researchers will study and examine the factors that cause child marriage and its legal protection to prevent child protection in Indonesia, Malaysia, and India. This research uses descriptive analytical research specifications by determining the laws and regulations relating to legal theories that are the object of research.Results of the Research: Indonesia increased the minimum marriage age for both sexes from 18 to 19 with the enactment of Law No. 16 of 2019. Malaysia, meanwhile, sets a maximum marriage age of eighteen. Initiatives to reduce the legal age of marriage, especially for women, have been made in both nations for socio-political and socio-cultural reasons. Alongside these initiatives, India has also ratified several conventions designed to end child marriage. These include the 1976 International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the 1976 International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), as well as the 1956 Supplementary Convention on the Abolition of Slavery, the Slave Trade, and Institutions and Practices Similar to Slavery.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Child Marriage Among Madhesi Women in Nepal's Terai Region.

Child marriage is a detrimental practice with negative consequences for girls' health and well-being. This study aims to identify the prevalence of child marriage and associated risk factors within the Madhesi community. A cross-sectional study was conducted in a sub-metropolitan city of Lumbini Province, Nepal, in 2023. A total of 352 married women were randomly selected using simple random sampling and interviewed using a structured questionnaire between March 28th and April 17th. Descriptive categorical variables were expressed as proportions. Risk factors associated with child marriage were measured using the Chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression analysis. All statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 26. The majority of respondents (36.1%) were in the age group 21-25, with a mean age of 25.90 years ± 4.6 years. Most respondents (48.9%) received only basic-level education, with the majority (72.4%) reporting their parents as having no formal education. The primary family occupation was farming (40.1%). The prevalence of child marriage was high (77.0%), with a median marriage age of 18 years. Logistic regression analysis revealed significant risk factors including lower education levels of respondents and their parents, husband's occupation, lack of awareness about the legal marriage age, limited decision-making power regarding marriage, belief in the dowry system, discussions with friends about child marriage, and occurrence of child marriage among friends. Despite legal prohibition, child marriage remains prevalent in the Madhesi community. Educational interventions targeting women and parents, empowering women with decision-making authority, and addressing the dowry system are crucial for reducing this harmful practice.

Local Crime and Early Marriage: Evidence from India

This paper analyses whether living in a locality with high crime against women affects the probability of early marriage—that is, marriage before the legal age of marriage of girls. Using a nationally representative longitudinal data set and tackling the potential endogeneity of local crime rates, we find that perceived crime against women in the locality significantly increases the likelihood of early marriage of girls, while there is no such effect on boys of comparable age group. We also find no such effect of gender-neutral crimes (such as theft and robbery) on the likelihood of early marriage of girls. Moreover, we find that the relationship holds only in conservative households where the purdah system is practised, and also in the northern region of India, where patriarchal culture and gender norms are stronger than in the southern region. A sensitivity analysis assessing the potential impact of unobservable confounders suggests that our estimates are unlikely to be affected by omitted variable bias.

Arranged cohabitation among Chinese Muslims

While modern family-related ideas and behaviors have become more widely accepted in contemporary China, Chinese Muslim minorities continue to hold on to traditional religious practices. Surprisingly, data from our survey conducted in Gansu province in China's northwestern borderlands reveal that Muslims of the Hui and Dongxiang ethnicities reported much higher rates of cohabitation experience than the secular majority Han. Based on follow-up qualitative interviews, we found the answer to lie in the interplay between the highly interventionist Chinese state and the robust cultural resilience of local Islamic communities. While the state maintains a high minimum legal age of marriage, the early marriage norm remains strong in Chinese Muslim communities, where religion constitutes an alternative and often more powerful source of legitimacy-at least in the private sphere of life. Using the 2000 census data, we further show that women in almost all 10 Muslim ethnic groups have higher percentages of underage births and premarital births than Han women, both nationally and in the northwest where most Chinese Muslims live. As the once-outlawed behavior of cohabitation became more socially acceptable during the reform and opening-up era, young Muslim Chinese often found themselves in "arranged cohabitations" as de facto marriages formed at younger-than-legal ages. In doing so, Chinese Muslim communities have reinvented the meaning of cohabitation. Rather than liberal intimate relationship based on individual autonomy, cohabitation has served as a coping strategy by which Islamic patriarchs circumvent the Chinese state's aggressive regulations aimed at "modernizing" the Muslim family.

Estimated effect of age of marriage on utilisation of India’s Integrated Child Development Service programme

BackgroundAge of marriage among women is considered an important indicator of their readiness for familial integration and parenting. This study estimated the effect of age of marriage of young mothers...

Analisis Fenimisme Liberal Pada Dampak Pernikahan Usia Dini

Early marriage is a social phenomenon that involves marriage at a very young age, often before reaching adulthood or the legal age for marriage. This practice has a significant impact on children's rights, well-being and gender equality around the world. This article explains the phenomenon of early marriage, including the causes, impacts, and efforts to overcome this problem. The causes of early marriage vary, including cultural, religious, economic and social factors. Early marriage is often linked to gender inequality, social pressure and poverty. The impacts of early marriage include higher health risks, interrupted education, and increased risk of domestic violence, especially among girls. Efforts have been made globally to reduce early marriage through legislation, education, and awareness. Laws and regulations have been introduced to set a minimum age for marriage, while education and outreach programs aim to change society's views regarding this practice. While there has been progress in addressing the issue of early marriage, complex challenges remain, and cross-sector collaboration remains key to achieving positive change. Early marriage is an issue that requires serious attention from society, government and non-governmental organizations to protect children's rights and promote gender equality

Prevalence of girl and boy child marriage across states and Union Territories in India, 1993–2021: a repeated cross-sectional study

India's success in eliminating child marriage is crucial to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goal target 5.3. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of child marriage in girls and boys in India and describe its change across 36 states and Union Territories between 1993 and 2021. For this cross-sectional study, data from five National Family Health Surveys from 1993, 1999, 2006, 2016, and 2021 were used. The study included 310 721 women aged 20-24 years between 1993 and 2021 and 43 436 men aged 20-24 years between 2006 and 2021. Child marriage was defined as marriage in individuals younger than 18 years for men and women. We calculated the annual change in prevalence during the study period for states and Union Territories and estimated the population headcount of child brides and grooms. Child marriage declined during 1993 to 2021. The all-India prevalence of child marriage in girls declined from 49·4% (95% CI 48·1-50·8) in 1993 to 22·3% (21·9-22·7) in 2021. Child marriage in boys declined from 7·1% (6·9-30·8) in 2006 to 2·2% (1·8-2·7) in 2021. The largest decreases in child marriage occurred between 2006 and 2016. Between 2016 and 2021, a few states and Union Territories saw an increase in prevalence of child marriage in girls (n=6) and boys (n=8) despite declines in the all-India prevalence. In 2021, 13 464 450 women aged 20-24 years and 1 454 894 men aged 20-24 years were estimated to be married as children. One in five girls and nearly one in six boys are still married below the legal age of marriage in India. There remains an urgent need for strengthened national and state-level policy to eliminate child marriage by 2030. Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Child Marriage: Knowledge, Factors, Consequences and Utilization of Maternal Services among Early Married Women.

In 2020, UNFPA estimated additional 13 million child marriage cases in Nepal after a decade of lockdown due to COVID-19 wherein 2020, the data of child marriage before the age of 18 reached 5 million where marriage done before the age of 15 years was 1.3 million as per UNICEF. In Nepal, the legal age for marriage is 20 years. As per the National Criminal Code 2074, article 173 (1,2 and 3), one is imprisoned for three years with a penalty of Rs. 30,000, if found to violate the law: marrying before reaching the legal age. An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted. The sampling design used for the study was simple random sampling. Out of 9 municipalities in Sindhuli district, Dudhauli municipality was selected by using lottery method. 8 wards out of 14 wards in Dudhauli municipality were selected by using purposive sampling. 160 participants were early married women within the age of 15 to 24 years. Three key stakeholders were selected for Key Informant Interview from the local government level worker, non-Governmental organizations working within the municipality, and Dudhauli Health Post. One focused group discussion was conducted with 6 early married women. All the collected data were analyzed through simple descriptive statistics such as frequency, percentage, mean and inferential statics by using chi-square. For a qualitative study, the information collected from the key stakeholders was documented in narrative form. Seven out of 126 women suffered from miscarriage during their second delivery. There is a significant association between the age of marriage and the number of children (P-value 0.0520) and birth time after marriage (P-value 0.019). The majority, 32.6 percent believes that child marriage can be prevented by children's counseling Conclusions: Only 1.6 percent of early married women faced complications during delivery. Majority of physically active women engaged in agriculture sector (97.5%) did not face any difficulty during delivery. None of the early married women have ever suffered from obstetric fistula despite of early delivery.

Gap identification for improvement in maternal and early infant health care practices among tribal pregnant women in an aspirational tribal district Sirohi, Rajasthan.

Sirohi is one of the aspirational districts of Rajasthan which is also tribal-dominated. The maternal and early infant health indicators are worrisome compared to regional or national statistics. First-trimester registration of pregnant women is 54% in district Sirohi, which is much less as compared to registration in the state of Rajasthan (63%) and India (59%). Four antenatal care (ANC) visits of pregnant women are 32% in district Sirohi, which is also much less as compared to ANC visits in the state of Rajasthan (39%) and India (51%). However, there was no tribal-specific data regarding maternal and early infant health. The study aims to identify gaps for improvement in maternal and early infant health care practices among tribal pregnant women in an aspirational tribal district of Sirohi, Rajasthan. It was a cross-sectional study conducted among 560 tribal pregnant women to assess the existing maternal, and early infant health care knowledge and practices through a pre-validated questionnaire in the tribal population of district Sirohi Rajasthan. Nineteen per cent (19.5%, n = 109) of tribal pregnant women got married between the age of 10 and 17 (less than the legal age of marriage of 18 years). There is a significant relationship between early age at marriage and low educational status P < 0.001, r = 0.241 among participants. Measurement of weight, blood pressure and urine examination was done in 32.5% (n = 181), 19.5% (n = 109) and 7.1% (n = 39), respectively, among tribal pregnant women. The majority (94.6%) of the pregnant tribal women (385/407) were anaemic. Approximately 60% (n = 337) of mothers were unaware of thermal protection (skin-to-skin care). Sixty per cent (n = 334) of tribal pregnant women preferred to seek consultation regarding antenatal and infant health care from doctors, while 40.1% (n = 224) were more comfortable seeking advice from traditional birth attendants (TBAs). The study finds inadequate knowledge and practice towards maternal and early infant care among tribal pregnant women. As TBAs influence tribal pregnant women, systematic training and involvement of TBAs in maternal and child health are indispensable.

How Marriage Policy Affects Womens LFP

With technological advancement coupled with the recent pandemic, perceptions of womens societal roles have undoubtedly evolved over the recent decades. Often, their social role is measured through their employment status, with rising labor force participation indicating an elevated social standing. While most of the previous research tends to link womens labor force participation with factors including wage rates, childbirth, and education, the correlation between their labor force participation and marriage has remained underexplored. Given the profound impact marriage can have on womens employment, it is crucial to adopt innovative research approaches that reflect modern shifts in womens social roles. This paper seeks to unravel the link between marriage and womens labor force participation in the U.S., focusing specifically on the influence of legal marriage age via a difference-in-difference design. The goal is to inform the government of better policy decisions, such as pushing for enhanced economic and marriage policies that could further facilitate womens role in the professional realm.

زواج القاصرات المعاصر وبيان الاختلاف عليه في ضوء الشريعة الإسلامية

Contemporary child marriage has become a noticeable phenomenon in recent times, spreading rapidly and extensively. This research aims to clarify the concept of minors and elucidate the reasons and motivations behind the prevalent phenomenon of child marriage, both in the past and in contemporary society. The study reveals that there are social, economic, health, and psychological factors contributing to this issue. The research adopted a descriptive and inductive approach to investigate the reasons for marrying minors, based on an analysis of books and studies that discussed the motives for such marriages and the legal rulings on marrying minors. Additionally, the negative consequences of child marriages were examined. The research yielded findings, including the definition of a minor as someone who has not reached the legal age for marriage and is incapable of assuming marital responsibilities. The economic circumstances of the guardian sometimes force them to marry off their daughters to avoid the financial burden. Some parents resort to informal marriages, which the law prohibits, thus denying minors their rights. The study also highlighted the physical and mental health risks associated with child marriages, such as weakened immunity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and other health issues. Research has also documented cases of minors dying within a year of marriage. In conclusion, this research contributes to clarifying the concept of minors, uncovering the reasons for child marriages, and explaining the legal rulings regarding such unions.

MUDAHNYA DISPENSASI NIKAH TERHADAP MARAKNYA PERKAWINAN DI BAWAH UMUR YANG TERJADI DI DAERAH LAMONGAN

The aim of this research is to uncover the reasons behind the rise of hundreds of early marriages in the Lamongan area. Literature studies are used to support this research data. The increase in early marriage in Lamongan Regency is caused by various factors, ranging from social to economic to religious. Due to these factors, the rate of early marriage continues to increase from year to year in Lamongan Regency. Before the Marriage Law was amended, the legal age for marriage was 16 years for women and 19 years for men. This minimum age for women is contrary to the general definition of a child, namely anyone under 18 years of age. After the enactment of Law Number 16 of 2019, the minimum age for women and men was set at 19 years. However, there are still exceptions, called marriage exceptions. The marriage dispensation letter is an exception to the age limit and can be submitted to local authorities by completing a form and several administrative documents. Some time ago, the Lamongan Religious Court (PA) provided data on applications for marriage dispensation letters, most of whom were students, from January to November 2023. In total, there were approximately 301 memos containing various reasons for getting married. A total of 295 applications have been approved, while the remaining six are still being processed. Data shows that 256 teenagers who applied for a marriage license did so to avoid infidelity and adultery, and most children who married early felt they had no other choice.

Legal Age for Marriage: SDGs and Maslahah Perspectives in Legal Policy Change in Indonesia

This research aims to identify the impact of the change in legal policy on the protection of human rights and gender equality. This research analyzes the relationship between the aspects influencing legal changes regarding the legal age of marriage in Indonesia from a gender perspective and the SDGs. This study employed a qualitative approach that is based on library research to identify the impact of changes in legal policy. This study also used a juridical approach to capture an overview of Indonesian family law policies as stipulated in the Law Number 16 of 2019 with maslahah theory and Philipus M. Hadjon’s theory of legal protection as the analytical framework. The research results: First, it was found that the issue of the minimum legal age of marriage is part of the legal discovery area, which resulted in the emergence of Law Number 16 of 2019. Second, the gender movement in Indonesia has played a significant role in changing the paradigm of family law towards a more progressive view and a more protective to women’s rights. The integration of Hadjon’s theory of legal protection strengthens the analysis of the impact of changing legal policies on individual rights and gender equality.

Spatial distribution, magnitude, and predictors of high fertility status among reproductive age women in Ethiopia: Further analysis of 2016 Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey.

Women's health and welfare, as well as the survival of their children, are adversely affected by high fertility rates in developing countries. The fertility rate in Ethiopia has been high for a long time, with some pockets still showing poor improvement. Thus, the current study is aimed to assess the spatial distribution and its predictors of high fertility status in Ethiopia. Secondary data analysis was used using the 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS). The Bernoulli model was used by applying Kulldorff methods using the SaTScan software to analyze the purely spatial clusters of high fertility status. ArcGIS version 10.8 was used to visualize the distribution of high fertility status across the country. Mixed-effect logistic regression analysis was also used to identify the predictors of high fertility. High fertility among reproductive-age women had spatial variation across the country. In this study, a higher proportion of fertility occurred in Somali region, Southeastern part of Oromia region, and Northeastern part of SNNPR. About 45.33% (confidence interval: (44.32, 46.33) of reproductive-age women had high fertility. Education; no formal (aOR: 13.12, 95% CI: 9.27, 18.58) and primary (aOR: 5.51, 95% CI: 3.88, 7.79), religion; Muslim (aOR: 1.52, 95% CI: 1.28, 1.81) and Protestant (aOR: 1.48, 95% CI: 1.23, 1.78), age at first birth (aOR: 2.94, 95% CI: 2.61, 3.31), age at first sex (aOR: 1.70, 95% CI: 1.49, 1.93), rural resident (aOR: 3.76, 95% CI: 2.85, 4.94) were predictors of high fertility in Ethiopia. The spatial pattern of high fertility status in Ethiopia is clustered. Hotspot areas of a problem were located in Somali, Central Afar, Northeastern part of SNNPR, and Southeastern part of Oromia region. Therefore, designing a hotspot area-based interventional plan could help to reduce high fertility. Moreover, much is needed to be done among rural residents, reducing early sexual initiations and early age at first birth, and enhancing women's education. All the concerned bodies including the kebele administration, religious leaders, and community leaders should be in a position to ensure the practicability of the legal age of marriage.