Kerala, known for its high literacy rate, also has a large number of mothers aged below 19 years: 22,552. The shocking statistics reveal the prevalence of child marriage in the state. It also puts paid to the myth that Kerala is a matriarchal society.



The report, released in Februry 2019, was published by the state's economic and statistics department reflected data from 2017.



The report says that 4.48 per cent of live births in Kerala in 2017 was delivered by mothers between the age of 15 and 19.

In urban areas, 16,639 live births were by mothers in this age bracket, while the number was recorded at 5,913 in rural areas.

The statistics further show that in 2017, 137 mothers in rural areas gave birth to their second child before the age of 19. Also, 48 mothers and 37 mothers delivered third and fourth babies, respectively, below the age of 19.

In urban areas, 298 mothers had their second delivery before they attained the age of 19, and 21 had their third child before they turned 19.

The report also shows 11 mothers below the age of 15.

Religion-wise, 17,082 mothers of the total number, within the age bracket of 15-19 years, belonged to the Muslim community, 4,734 to Hindus and 702 to Christians.

The report also shows that 17,202 were either matriculate or below graduate level; 3,420 did not mention their education, while 86 were reported illiterate and 91 received below primary level education.

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