The Factors that Contributed to Early Marriage of Ethnic Adolescent Girls in 3 Districts, 3 Northen Provinces of Lao PDR

This study intended to investigate the factors that contributed to early marriage of ethnic adolescent girls among Hmong, Khmu and Akha in 3 districts of three provinces as Xiengnguen district, Luang Prabang province, La district, Oudomxay province and Mai district, Phongsaly province. Data and information were collected via semi-structured interviews questionnaires and questionnaires from October to November 2025, by using purposive sampling to target the groups with total of 136 people, including village authorities, local customary law leaders, parents and adolescent girls. The quantitative data were analyzed by using SPSS and Kobo toolbox. Also, the qualitative information was consolidated and ranking from all responses.

The keys study findings found that a widespread of early marriage is strongly linked to inequality of educational opportunity, having low education as the primary contributor to early marriage. As evidenced 19 percent reach upper secondary school, 33 percent attend lower secondary school, 22 percent studied at primary school, and 26 percent of adolescent never go to school in their life time.

Domestic inequality that linked to culture as a secondary driver, clearly through devaluation of daughters. Sons received preferential treatment, with 96 percent of parents encouraging male children to maintain traditional practices and providing them greater opportunity. This disparity prompted adolescent girls to pursue marriage as an economic advancement. The third determinant was attitude of adolescent girls, surrounding by their circles and society, evidenced by 74 percent marrying without parental consultation due to love attachment and 96 percent doing so voluntarily. Materialistic aspirations further motivated self-initiated early marriages, as girls perceived matrimony as a pathway to stability and prospects.

The findings reveal that low education β=.681, and p<.000, domestic gender inequality of the culture and tradition β=.51 and p<.001, and attitude β=.23, and p<.004 on autonomous decision-making as primary factors R2 =.644; F (4,64) =28.98, p<0.001, underlying early marriage. In contrary, majority of parents opposed the practice, with over 80 percent recognizing its inappropriateness, 93 percent rejecting parental exclusion from marriage decisions, and 60 percent acknowledging its legal inconsistency.