Longitudinal patterns and structural influences on female age at marriage in the districts of West Bengal, India

Abstract Age at marriage is a key demographic indicator closely linked to women’s education, fertility behaviour, and broader processes of social transformation. In India, the Singulate Mean Age at Marriage (SMAM) for females has steadily increased over the past century, reflecting gradual shifts in demographic and socio-economic conditions. West Bengal broadly follows this national trend; however, substantial spatial variations persist within the state. Against this background, the present study examines the district-level patterns and structural determinants of female SMAM in West Bengal between 1991 and 2011. Using Population Census data and applying Hajnal’s indirect demographic method, the study first documents the temporal trend in female SMAM and then investigates inter-district disparities across the state. The results indicate a gradual rise in the age at marriage across most districts, though the pace of change remains uneven. Regression analysis suggests that districts with higher levels of urbanization tend to exhibit higher SMAM, highlighting the role of urban socio-economic environments in delaying marriage. In contrast, districts with larger Muslim population shares are associated with comparatively lower SMAM, though the magnitude of this relationship weakens over time. Female literacy and work participation rates do not show statistically significant independent associations with marriage timing. Overall, the findings underscore the persistence of spatial and socio-structural disparities in marriage behaviour and highlight the importance of geographically targeted, gender-sensitive policy interventions in West Bengal.