title: Effects of the number and age of siblings on educational transitions in sub-Saharan Africa.
abstract: Studies examining the link between number of siblings and level of education attained by children in Africa have produced mixed results. This study draws on Demographic and Health Survey data from 26 sub-Saharan African countries and employs a multilevel multiprocess model that controls for time-invariant unobserved mother-level characteristics. We find indications that having younger siblings increases the likelihood of entering primary school; however, once a child is enrolled, having pre-school aged siblings is negatively associated with educational progression. Having a greater number of siblings older than age 15 increases the likelihood of primary-school entry and completion but has no effect on subsequent educational transitions. Some positive effects of having a greater number of siblings who are aged 6-15 are also observed. Girls are more adversely affected by having young siblings than are boys, but they benefit more than do boys from having siblings who are older than age 15. On the whole, the effects are not very strong, however.
authors.affiliation: Professor of Demography, Department of Economics, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1095 Blindern, 0317 Oslo, Norway. E-mail: oystein.kravdal@econ.uio.no. Postdoctoral Researcher, Initiative in Population Research, Ohio State University. Reader in Gender and Family Studies, Gender Institute, London School of Economics and Political Science.
authors.forename: Øystein
authors.initials: Ø
authors.lastname: Kravdal
authors.forename: Ivy
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kodzi
authors.forename: Wendy
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Sigle-Rushton
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017954:Africa South of the Sahara; D000367:Age Factors; D001721:Birth Intervals / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001723:Birth Rate; D002648:Child; D004493:Education / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology; D018401:Sample Size; D012574:Schools / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012737:Sex Factors; D035781:Siblings