Population dynamics in Africa

Abstract

Evidence has indicated that it is difficult to give an-overall picture of fertility and mortality levels, patterns, trends and differentials because of lack of series of demographic data problems of data collection, methodology and techniques of demographic analysis that would be suitable to derive plausible estimates of fertility and mortality. These and other problems limit the scope of this paper to consider only the current estimates of fertility and mortality in some ECA member States. As far as possible most recent population census and demographic survey data including data collected as part of the World Fertility Survey (WFS) programme have been used. Similarly, various demographic techniques were applied to derive current estimates of fertility and mortality. The paper is divided into two major parts the first being on fertility estimates and the other presents the mortality situation in selected African countries.