Trends and determinants of cohabitation relative to marriage among women in union in Ghana

Cohabitation is an emerging feature of the ongoing Second Demographic Transition in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Yet, it remains relatively understudied in empirical research. Using 34 years of pooled and weighted data across the 1988–2022 Ghana Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS), this study examined the trends and determinants of cohabitation relative to marriage among 30,376 Ghanaian women aged 15-49 years. The 2000, 2010, and 2021 Population and Housing Census data complemented this sample analysis by providing population-level trends. Adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and their 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were reported. The study revealed that formal marriage in Ghana increased from 52% in 1988 to 65% in 1998 and declined to 40% in 2022. Cohabitation declined from 12.7% in 1988 to 5.5% in 1998 but subsequently rose to 14.6% in 2022. Overall, multiple factors notably younger age cohorts, urban locality, primary and secondary education, lower wealth quintile, residence in more developed regions notably Ashanti and Greater Accra, early sexual debut, multiple union histories, and years after 2003, were significantly associated with higher odds of cohabitation. The interaction showed that the effect of younger age, lower wealth quintile, and locality changed significantly over time. Over the past 34 years, marriage prevalence has declined, while cohabitation has increased. These findings highlight the potential value of re-examining married-anchored policies and interventions, toward a right-based approach to reduce vulnerabilities for women and children in cohabiting relationships.