• Government targets child marriage reduction from 33% in 2019 to 15% by 2029
• UNICEF data shows nearly 1.3 mln girls in Benin married before 18 years old
• Early marriage costs economy up to $500 mln in lost potential by 2030

Benin has launched a new program to tackle child marriage, aiming to cut the rate from 33% in 2019 to 15% by 2029. The initiative was announced on September 3, 2025, and seeks to better protect children, particularly girls, from early marriage and teenage pregnancy.

According to the government, the program will strengthen protection and support mechanisms while engaging communities, families, and children themselves in efforts to end the practice.

Child marriage remains widespread in Benin. UNICEF figures show that 28% of women aged 20 to 24 were married before turning 18, and 6% before 15. This represents around 980,700 and 285,500 girls nationwide.

The practice also carries a heavy economic cost. In 2019, income losses linked to early marriage were estimated at $80 million in purchasing power parity. If trends continue, more than $500 million in potential economic gains could be lost by 2030, according to the report Benin: Economic Costs of Child Marriage and Potential Solutions.

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To address the issue, the government, supported by UNICEF, Canada, and the Netherlands, has rolled out the Cash + Care program, renamed Faaba Cash + Care in 2024. It provides financial assistance and social support to families, encouraging the schooling of girls aged 9 to 15, delaying marriage, and fostering future autonomy.