Marriage Patterns in Palestine

Although most countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) are experiencing an increase in the age at marriage, early marriage in Palestine continues to be relatively high. About one in 10 Palestinian women ages 15 to 19 is married, although there are inter-regional differences (see Table 1). Yet, an increasing number of women are delaying marriage and remaining single—also about one in 10 Palestinian women between ages 35 and 39 has not been married at all. In a society that favors marriage and children, it is essential to understand and address the needs of single women. Since families seem to heavily influence a woman’s decision to marry, policies should be geared toward discouraging early marriage by: