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Levels and socioeconomic correlates of nonmarital fertility in Ghana

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  • Samuel H Nyarko
  • Lloyd Potter

Abstract

Childbirth outside marriage has several negative implications for the well-being of children, women, and families globally. In sub-Saharan Africa, however, the phenomenon appears to be under-studied. In this study, we examine the levels and socioeconomic correlates of nonmarital fertility in Ghana. Using pooled data from the 2003, 2008, and the 2014 Ghana Demographic and Health Surveys, logistic regression models were used in determining significantly predictive factors of nonmarital fertility. The results show that nonmarital fertility levels have been on the rise over time without any sign of reduction (24.0%, 33.0%, and 40.0% for 2003, 2008, and 2014, respectively). Some socioeconomic characteristics are linked to nonmarital fertility levels with women without formal education, women from poor households, and self-employed women having significantly higher nonmarital fertility risks. Also, older unmarried women, women who have an early sexual debut, cohabiters, women with unmet need for family planning are all associated with considerably higher risks of nonmarital childbearing. A few significant regional disparities also exist, with the Central Region having higher whereas the Upper West Region has lower risks of nonmarital fertility compared to the Greater Accra Region. Childbirth outside marriage is a social concern among women in Ghana. The findings have possible implications for bridging socioeconomic disparities among unmarried women.

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  • Samuel H Nyarko & Lloyd Potter, 2021. "Levels and socioeconomic correlates of nonmarital fertility in Ghana," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 16(2), pages 1-13, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0247189
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0247189
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Shelley Clark & Dana Hamplová, 2013. "Single Motherhood and Child Mortality in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Life Course Perspective," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 50(5), pages 1521-1549, October.
    2. John Bongaarts & John Casterline, 2013. "Fertility Transition: Is sub-Saharan Africa Different?," Population and Development Review, The Population Council, Inc., vol. 38, pages 153-168, February.
    3. Johnson-Hanks, Jennifer, 2002. "The lesser shame: abortion among educated women in southern Cameroon," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 55(8), pages 1337-1349, October.
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    Cited by:

    1. Oluwatobi Abel Alawode, 2021. "Analysis of Non-Marital Fertility in Nigeria and Implications for Intervention and Future Research," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 10(7), pages 1-18, July.
    2. Castro Ayebeng & Kwamena Sekyi Dickson & Abdul-Aziz Seidu & Joshua Amo-Adjei, 2022. "Single motherhood in Ghana: analysis of trends and predictors using demographic and health survey data," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 9(1), pages 1-10, December.
    3. Ben Malinga John & Natalie Nitsche, 2022. "Dynamics of Union Dissolution in Sub‐Saharan Africa," Population and Development Review, The Population Council, Inc., vol. 48(4), pages 1163-1201, December.

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