Family Formation in Africa: Trends in Age at Marriage, Union Types, Patterns and Determinants

Abstract

This study combined life course theoretical approach with Demographic and Health Survey datasets (1990-2014,) from five countries across the five African regions, to underscore family formation in Africa with respect to changing patterns and determinants of age at first marriage and union types. The total sample was 215, 345 women aged 15-49. Data were analysed using the Cox Proportional Regression Technique to generate the probability of marrying at a younger age, the net effects of identifiable variables and Kaplan-Meier estimated median ages at entry into marriage by demographic variables. In addition, the univariate and bivariate highlighted country-by-country differences in age at first marriage and percentage change in never married, married and cohabiters from 1990-1999 to 2010-2014. The median age at first marriage is highest in Namibia and low (15 or 16 years) in Nigeria, Cameroon, Kenya and Egypt. The hazard ratio decreases as educational level increases. Women in rural areas in 1990-1999 and 2010-2014 were more likely to marry at younger ages in Cameroon (14%, 11%), Egypt (25%, 8%), Kenya (14%, 2%), Nigeria (35%, 14%) and Namibia (13%, 95%), respectively. This study validated the life course framework that timing and types of union are determined by variations in education and socioeconomic status, among other factors. It concludes that there is a decline in the level of women marrying at a younger age and cohabiting and the proportion having sex at younger ages. The author recommends an increase in access to higher education for women and reproductive health services, to raise the age at marriage and reduce health hazards attributed to early marriages.