Demographic Transition In sub-Saharan Africa: Trends and Differentials

Over the time, focus has not been on the resulting changes of the age structure and the opportunities for development in sub-Saharan Africa. In this regard, this paper seeks to contribute to the body by appraising the prospect for harnessing demographic dividends that come with demographic transition in the sub-Saharan African region. This paper extensively reviewed fertility transition, trends and differentials across regions; reviewed mortality trends and differentials across regions; examined the determinants of fertility and mortality change and appraised the prospect for harnessing demographic dividends in sub-Saharan Africa. Fertility transition in the region has been of two-phases and its prevalence has been relatively low compared to what is obtainable in other developing regions of the world. The Middle Africa TFR of 5.9 and Southern Africa's TFR of 2.5 are highest and lowest in the regions. The region of sub-Saharan Africa natural rate of increase of 2.5 is the fastest across regions of the world. Middle Africa and Southern Africa natural increase rates of 2.8 and 1.0 make them the fastest and slowest growing regions in sub-Saharan Africa.