Chapter 2

BACKGROUND CHARACTERISTICS

 

2.1       Age Distribution

Table 2.1 shows the weighted age distribution of the de jure household population, and the sex ratios by five-year age groups.

Table 2.1: Age and Sex Structure of Household Population

Figure 2.1 shows the overall age distribution graphically. The age pyramid has a shape that is typical of a young population with high fertility, but the base is clearly undercut. The smaller size of the age group below five years has been observed in other surveys and 1998 population census and is only partly due to a recent fertility decline. Some of the deficit of the 0-4 year olds is probably caused by age exaggeration. However, comparing this distribution with the one from the earlier surveys, it appears that the age displacement problem is less severe in the PRHFPS.

The very high sex ratio of 1.42 at age 45-49, and the low ratio of 0.71 for the 50-54 year olds indicate pronounced out-transference of women beyond the age of eligibility for the in-depth interview. This seems to be caused by, in certain cases, mis-reporting of women’s ages in the household questionnaire.

 

Figure2.1 Age Pyramid

Table 2.2 shows the trend in the household age distribution from various sources, starting with the 1981 Census. The age distributions have not changed very much over the last 20 years. The proportion of the population younger than 15 has come down to 41.3 percent in the PRHFPS, from 44.5 percent in the 1981 Census, providing some evidence of a fertility decline. The proportion of young people is higher (47.0 percent) in the PCPS, 1994-95 but this is probably due to the fact that PCPS, 1994-95 only sampled household with currently married women.

Table 2.2: Percent Distribution of Household Population by Age Group

 

2.2              Marital Status

Table 2.3 shows the current marital status of males and females by five-year age group. It is clear that in Pakistani society marriage is still universal for both men and women. The median age at first marriage among ever-married women (25-49 years) is 18 years and still over 50 percent of women are married to their first cousins. (Tabulation will be presented in the main report).

Table 2.3: Percent Distribution of Households Members, by Marital Status and Age

 

The proportions never married can be used to calculate the singulate mean age at marriage. The singulate mean ages at marriage for men and women are estimated to be 27.1 and 22.7 years, respectively. Table 2.4 and the corresponding figure 2.2 show trends in singulate mean age at marriage and indicate that age at marriage for both sexes continues to rise over time. There is little indication of narrowing in the gap between male and female singulate mean age at marriage.

Table 2.4: Trends in Singulate Mean Age at Marriage for Males and Females (Years)

 

Figure 2.2 Trends in Singulate Mean Age at Marriage