African households: national and subnational trends from censuses and surveys
Pohl, Maria (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona)
Esteve, Albert (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona)
Galeano, Juan (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona)
Centre d'Estudis Demogràfics

Date:	2025
Abstract:	Using census and survey microdata from 49 African countries across 415 subnational areas, we offer a comprehensive overview of household size and composition in Africa. The study emphasizes the potential of these data for understanding family dynamics through co-residential units. Clear regional patterns emerge, showcasing a wide range of household sizes across the continent. We find that household size is linked primarily to the number of children and secondarily to the presence of other family and non-family members beyond the nuclear household. The analysis of household composition also highlights the uneven influence of polygyny and extended families. This research is a first step in examining harmonized census and survey data to delve into the structure and dynamics of households across Africa from a demographic perspective.
Grants:	European Commission 101052787
Rights:	Aquest material està protegit per drets d'autor i/o drets afins. Podeu utilitzar aquest material en funció del que permet la legislació de drets d'autor i drets afins d'aplicació al vostre cas. Per a d'altres usos heu d'obtenir permís del(s) titular(s) de drets.
Language:	Anglès
Document:	Article ; recerca ; Versió acceptada per publicar
Subject:	Households ; Family ; Demography ; Africa ; Co-residence ; Spatial analysis ; Comparative research
Published in:	Population Studies, 2025 , ISSN 1477-4747

DOI: 10.1080/00324728.2024.2427580

Available from: 2027-08-26 Postprint

The record appears in these collections:
Research literature > UAB research groups literature > Research Centres and Groups (research output) > Social and Legal Sciences > Centre for Demographic Studies (CED-CERCA)
Articles > Research articles
Articles > Published articles