Correlates of Single Motherhood in Four Sub-SaharanAfrican Countries

Abstract

Despite the increase in the number of singlemother families in Sub-Saharan Africa as a result of family breakdown and increasing non-marital childbearing, little is known about the correlates of single motherhood in this region. Using the latest Demographic and Health Surveys data of four Sub-Saharan Africa countries, namely Congo-Brazzaville, Gabon, Namibia and Swaziland, this study examines the correlates of single motherhood in the selected countries. The results showed that single motherhood is prevalent, ranging between 27% in Congo-Brazzaville and 53% in Namibia, with non-marital childbearing being the major cause of single motherhood. Correlates of single motherhood varied across countries; however, age at first birth, number of living children, and occupation emerged as correlates of single motherhood across the four countries.