The Unequal Burden of Child Loss: Evidence from Sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America

Maria Laura Miranda , Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research
Ugofilippo Basellini, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research
Roland Rau, University of Rostock
Emily Smith-Greenaway, University of Southern California
Emilio Zagheni, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research

Despite declining global mortality rates, maternal bereavement remains common in developing countries. Current estimates suggest that between 25% and 50% of mothers in contemporary African populations have experienced the loss of at least one child. While considerable efforts have been made to quantify the burden of maternal bereavement, gaps remain in understanding disparities by socioeconomic levels. This study uses data from the Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) to examine the association between maternal education and the overall composition of bereavement experiences. Results from 15 sub-Saharan African (SSA) and five Latin American (LA) countries reveal a consistent educational gradient in maternal bereavement, with lower educated mothers experiencing a higher prevalence of child loss. Estimates across countries over time show differences in terms of the pace of prevalence decline, and convergence of educational levels. Additionally, preliminary results from Kenya and Peru—countries that have experienced significant educational expansion in recent years—indicate that after controlling for other demographic characteristics, there is strong evidence of an association between maternal education level and child loss.

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 Presented in Session P7. Education, Labor Market, and Economic Issues