| Code | SP.HOU.FEMA.ZS |
| Indicator Name | Female headed households (% of households) |
| Short definition | Female headed households refers to the percentage of households that are headed by females. |
| Long definition | Female headed households refers to the percentage of households that are headed by females. |
| Source | DHS API, DHS Program (ICF), uri: https://api.dhsprogram.com/#/index.html, note: Indicator code from the original source: HC_HHHD_H_FEM; Indicator name from the original source: Female-headed households, publisher: DHS Program (ICF), type: API, date accessed: 2024-06-14 |
| Topic | Health: Population: Dynamics |
| Dataset | WDI |
| Unit of measure | % of households |
| Periodicity | Annual |
| Reference period | 1990-2023 |
| Statistical concept and methodology | Methodology: The indicator is calculated by the number of households headed by women divided by the total number of households.
The definition of a household is a person or group of related or unrelated persons who live together in the same dwelling unit(s), who acknowledge one adult male or female as the head of the household, who share the same housekeeping arrangements and who are considered a single unit.
Statistical concept(s): The information on the characteristics of household head (e.g., sex, age) is collected the household questionnaire in the Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS). Typically, this data is obtained by detailing the connection of each member of the household to a designated central figure, who is considered the primary reference for the household. |
| Development relevance | The composition of households plays a pivotal role in determining the well-being of families and individuals. Research from multiple developed countries indicates that female-headed households, especially those with single mothers, face a higher risk of poverty than those with two parents (United Nations, "Patterns and trends in household size and composition: Evidence from a United Nations dataset," 2019). Understanding the diversity in household structures across various populations is essential for achieving Sustainable Development Goal 1, which is dedicated to eradicating poverty in all its forms. |
| Limitations and exceptions | The definition of female-headed household differs greatly across countries, making cross-country comparison difficult. In some cases it is assumed that a woman cannot be the head of any household with an adult male, because of sex-biased stereotype. Caution should be used in interpreting the data. |
| Other notes | The composition of a household plays a role in the determining other characteristics of a household, such as how many children are sent to school and the distribution of family income. |
| License URL | https://datacatalog.worldbank.org/public-licenses#cc-by |
| License Type | CC BY-4.0 |
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