Age at first marriage and age at first birth

This paper presents findings on patterns of age of 1st marriage and age of 1st birth for 41 countries participating in the World Fertility Survey program. The age distribution of 1st marriage and 1st birth is summarized with 3 statistics: the mean, the standard deviation, and the proportion ever experiencing the event. The particular method of estimation is based on a model that ensures that estimates for all cohorts are comparable, even though some women have completed their reproductive experience while others have not. The analysis provides insights into sources of error in the reporting of age at 1st birth. In addition, trends and cross-country patterns are documented and conclusions are drawn about the adequacy of these statistics for the description of patterns of age at 1st birth and age at 1st marriage.