SAMOA
SAMOA
PREVALENCE OF MARRIAGE BY AGE 15
PREVALENCE OF MARRIAGE BY AGE 18
FEMALE
1%
MALE
N/A
7%
2%
Year of data:
2019-20
Source:
MICS 2019-20
Year of data:
2019-20
Source:
MICS 2019-20
LEGAL AGE OF MARRIAGE
21
21
LOWEST PERMITTED AGE OF MARRIAGE DUE TO EXCEPTIONS IN THE LAW
18
18
Law(s) which govern marriage and/or child marriage:
Marriage Ordinance 1961 (amended 2020)
ABOUT THE LAW AND ANY EXCEPTIONS
In 2018, the government presented two proposals to amend the Marriage Ordinance 1961: first, to equate the minimum age for marriage for men and women at 18 years and second, to require consent from one parent/legal guardian for marriage for both men and women until 21 years. These changes were adopted in 2020 and came into force in 2021. However, it should be noted that anyone who has sexual intercourse with a minor (aged 12-16) to whom they are married is exempted from punishment under the Crimes Act 2013.
CAN MARRIED OR PREGNANT GIRLS GO TO SCHOOL?
No explicit law prevents or protects the right to education for married, pregnant, or parenting girls.
IS THE COUNTRY A FRAGILE OR CONFLICT-AFFECTED STATE?
No
IS THE COUNTRY ONE OF THE 50 MOST CLIMATE-VULNERABLE STATES?
Yes
IS IT ONE OF THE 50 COUNTRIES WITH THE HIGHEST RATES OF MULTIDIMENSIONAL POVERTY?
No
