The role of nuptiality in the demographic transition. The case of Africa: a conceptual essay

• Published in: Genus Vol. 51; no. 3-4; pp. 117 - 150
• Main Author: Chojnacka, H
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany Comitato italiano per lo studio dei problemi della popolazione 01-07-1995
• Subjects: Africa; Demographics; Demography; Developing Countries; Economics; Education; Employment; Fertility; Marriage; Population; Population Dynamics; Population Growth; Social aspects; Social change; Social conditions; Social statistics; Statistics; Africa; Marriage Age > women; Population Growth; Africa; Economic Factors; Nuptiality; Education; Fertility; Population; Developing Countries; Employment > women; Marriage Patterns > determinants; Demographic Factors; Marriage; Demographic Transition; Fertility Determinants; Macroeconomic Factors; Polygyny; Population Dynamics
• ISSN: 0016-6987

"The focus of analysis is on the direction of change and causes of shifts in age at first marriage among women in the demographic transition in Africa. The principal goal of the analysis is to assess and verify the paramount, determining role of nuptiality in affecting demographic transformation, especially in fertility. The findings confirm that in societies with early/universal marital patterns, initial demographic change is confined to nuptiality while fertility may be rising for decades. Two sets of causes of the shift to a later nuptiality pattern are examined. One refers to the role of nuptiality in premodern societies. The other considers: the built-in mechanism in the rate of population growth; diminishing frequency of polygyny; expansion in education; and increasing employment of women in non-traditional occupations." (SUMMARY IN ITA AND FRE)