Over the next seven years, India could save $5 billion (Rs 33, 500 crore) in healthcare and related costs if it eliminates child marriage and early childbirth, according to a new report by the World Bank and International Center for Research on Women (ICRW), a global research institute.
For perspective, this is equivalent to the country's 2017 - 18 higher education budget of Rs 33, 329 crore.
Globally, $17 billion (Rs 1. 14 lakh crore) could be saved across 18 countries by 2030 - of which India accounts for $10 billion (62 percent) due to its large population, said the report.
Source: The Quint