The Demographic Transition: Analysis of Nuptiality Component on Change of Fertility in Rwanda

Abstract

This study is an assessment of the impact of the nuptiality component on the change in the fertility process, which is part of the demographic transition in Rwanda. It focusses on indicators such as age of first marriage, rates of divorce, separation, marriage dissolution, widowhood, polygamy, and number of unmarried people, for their impact on the change in total fertility rate (TFR) in Rwanda. Further, the study examines nuptiality level and behaviour in Rwanda. It is based on the investigation and interpretation of data from various reports of the National Institute Statistics of Rwanda (NISR) and the World Bank (WB), as well as data from experiments conducted by the researcher. The study concluded that, according to most of the reports, these indicators of nuptiality did contribute to the change of TFR during the demographic transition in Rwanda. Further, it recommended that the public statistical institution (NISR) should conduct a study on homosexuality and its impact on TFR in Rwanda. This study consists of four sections: section 1 – introduction; section 2 – literature review; section 3 – data and methods; section 4 – analytical methods, results and conclusion.