Nuptiality in Botswana like in other countries in the world is undergoing changes. The aim of this study is to examine emerging marriage patterns and trends in Botswana using population census data from 1971 to 2011. The study shows that fewer and fewer men and women who are eligible for marriage are getting married and the proportion of people who are cohabiting is on the increase. The percentage of the population married declined from 42.9% among women and 47.1% among men in 1971 to 17.9% and 18.8% respectively in 2011. The proportion of population who were unmarried increased from 37.0% among women and 44.0% among men to 53.4% and 58.1% respectively in the same period. These changes are attributed to the changing socio-economic conditions such as increasing levels of education and female participation in the labour force, urbanisation, modernisation and westernisation. In light of these changes, it is imperative that detailed studies are undertaken to have an in-depth understating of the causes and consequences of the changing nuptiality patterns in Botswana.

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