Family Structure and Childcare in Sub-Saharan Africa

Aletheia Donald, Sara Lowes and Julia Vaillant

AEA Papers and Proceedings, 2024, vol. 114, 449-53

Abstract: Extended family members can help women with childcare. Using data from 32 sub-Saharan African countries, we find that the prevalence of nuclear families relative to extended families is increasing over time. The overall share of nuclear families is 56 percent and is higher in rural areas. We then use detailed time-use data on childcare provision from 110 rural villages in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We find that while women do receive childcare assistance from their extended family, they provide 84 percent of childcare hours. These results highlight the need for formal childcare provision, particularly in rural areas.

JEL-codes: J12 J13 J16 O15 O18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1257/pandp.20241012

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