Trend and Patterns of Singlehood among Women in West Africa: Implications for Fertility

Western Africa is the second most populous region in Africa after Eastern Africa. Population Reference Bureau projects that by mid-2050 the population of Western Africa will increase from its current 313 million to 792 million. The region’s high population is associated with persistent high and stalling fertility. In contrast with other African regions, more than half of countries in Western Africa have Total Fertility Rate (TFR) above 5 children per woman. Many previous studies on fertility transition in Western Africa concentrated attention on access and use of contraceptives. This study presents preliminary results of investigation on trend and patterns of singlehood among women and its implication for fertility decline in Western Africa. The study proposed that as the rate of singlehood among women rises, with or without any significant increase in contraceptive use, fertility levels in West African countries will decline. Singlehood in this study is limited to never married women age 30 and above. Data were derived from Demographic and Health Surveys and Population Reference Bureau Data Sheet. Preliminary result of the investigation shows that countries with increased singlehood also have TFR that declined. Where singlehood fluctuated, TFR also fluctuated.