Fifty years of research in African demography: Progresses and challenges

Abstract

The paper presents and discusses the progress in knowledge of African populations and their dynamics over the past 50 years. It takes as a starting point the landmark series of studies published in The Demography of Tropical Africa. Since then major progresses in data collection and data analysis were made, which are reviewed and discussed, with special reference to direct and indirect methods of demographic estimation. A major change occurred about 25 years ago with the development of DHS surveys and the focus on epidemiology and public health issues. Demographic research had to change its paradigms, and major advances were made in our understanding of population dynamics in relation with health issues. In a last part, the paper addresses special topics, unforeseeable events such as the HIV/AIDS epidemics which had major consequences for many demographic processes, and new fields for research around environmental issues.