In a significant legal reform aimed at promoting family stability and safeguarding children’s rights, Kuwait has amended its marriage laws to set 18 as the minimum age for marriage. Minister of Justice Nasser Al-Sumait announced that the amendments to Article 26 of Personal Status Law No. 51/1984 and Article 15 of Jaafari Personal Status Law No. 124/2019 align with Kuwait’s international commitments, including the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.
Recent statistics revealed 1,145 underage marriages in 2024, with 1,079 involving girls and 66 boys. Additionally, data showed that minors experience divorce at twice the rate of adults. Al-Sumait emphasized that raising the marriage age ensures individuals achieve emotional and social maturity before taking on marital responsibilities, fostering stronger and more sustainable families.
The amendments are rooted in Kuwait’s constitutional principles, particularly Articles 9 and 10, which stress the state’s duty to protect families, childhood, and youth. This legislative change underscores Kuwait’s commitment to shielding children from early marriage, enhancing family stability, and reducing divorce rates—ultimately contributing to the nation’s vision of a cohesive and socially secure society.
