African Households: National and Subnational Trends from Censuses and Surveys

Maria Pohl, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Albert Esteve, Center for Demographic Studies (Barcelona)
Juan Galeano, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Centre D'Estudis demogràfics (CED)

Using census and survey microdata from 49 African countries across 330 subnational regions, we offer a comprehensive overview of household size and composition trends 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. Trends indicate that household size is primarily linked to the number of children and, secondarily, to the presence of family and non-family members beyond the nuclear household. The analysis of household composition also highlights the uneven influence of polygamy and extended families. This research is a first step in harmonizing and examining census and survey data to delve, from a demographic perspective, into the structure and dynamics of households across Africa.