Analyses of the decade long fertility plateau in Bangladesh have explored ways to reinitiate a fertility decline. The decline of the 1980s was largely due to rising age at childbearing among parity two or higher births, with virtually no change in age at marriage or age at first birth over several decades. With first births now accounting for one third of all births, and a reluctance to delay initiation of childbearing after marriage, future efforts must focus on raising female age at marriage, which remains amongst the lowest in the world. Bangladesh has made substantial efforts to increase primary and secondary schooling for girls, and employment opportunities in urban areas for young women have increased over the past two decades, but there has been little overall effect on early marriage. New programs offering micro-credit to unmarried young women may have some impact by generating employment in rural areas, but more new approaches need to be tested for employment of girls after school in rural areas, if age at marriage is to be raised substantially. This study examines existing approaches, as well as explores new approaches that have the potential to make a substantial impact in reducing early marriage. Investigators: | 
