Gaza child marriage rises 123% as war deepens pressure on families
Girls as young as 14 are being married in Gaza as prolonged conflict, poverty and displacement place growing pressure on families, with reported cases of forced and child marriages rising 123% from January through June 2026, according to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
The UN agency said worsening poverty, food shortages, disrupted education and reduced household earnings are contributing to the increase.
Families staying in crowded shelters or struggling to afford necessities are increasingly considering marriage as a means of reducing financial burdens or providing girls with protection amid insecurity.
The development marks a reversal of progress made before the war. The child marriage rate across Palestine declined from 26% in 2009 to 11% in 2022.
Emergency court data showed that at least 400 girls between the ages of 14 and 16 received approval to marry over four months in 2025.
UNFPA said the recorded figures may not reflect the full scale of the issue because many marriages are conducted outside formal systems, while registration services have largely broken down.
Health risks rise for young girls
The consequences are also being reflected in adolescent pregnancies. Data from 2025 cited by UNFPA showed that adolescent birth rates had more than doubled from pre-war levels.
Limited access to healthcare is increasing the risks of pregnancy and childbirth complications for younger girls.
“Girls in Gaza are not choosing marriage – they are being driven into it by hunger, fear and displacement,” said Nestor Owomuhangi, UNFPA Country Representative for the State of Palestine.
UNFPA also reported worsening conditions for women and girls in displacement centres. An assessment of 15 sites in July found inadequate lighting, privacy, water and sanitation at all the locations examined.
Women and girls told assessors they often avoided going outside after dark and needed someone to accompany them.
UNFPA and its partners have increased the availability of dedicated spaces where women and girls can receive counselling and protection assistance. The number of people using these services has risen from 34,000 to 65,000 this year.
For many girls, however, the pressures created by the conflict are affecting their lives during an age when they would ordinarily remain in education.