Orphanhood and the Living Arrangements of Children in Sub-Saharan Africa

This report is based on data from a household survey from 21 sub-Saharan African countries. The study examined trends in orphanhood and living arrangements and the links between the two. The extent to which orphan rates are associated with these trends is investigated and whether there is a tendency for orphaned children in countries with high and increasing orphan rates to live with more distant relatives, evidence that would support the claim that rising orphan rates are placing pressure on the extended family. The broad patterns in living arrangements for orphans and non-orphans and changes in caregiving patterns are explored. The report also describes the data and the methods used to define orphan and household structures. The report discusses trends in orphan rates, develops a country typology of these trends, and discusses the changes in household living arrangements associated with these trends.