Prevalence and Associated Factors of Permanent Celibacy among Men and Women in Burkina Faso: Findings from the 2019 General Population and Housing Census

Introduction: Permanent celibacy, defined as the enduring—whether voluntary or involuntary—choice to neither marry nor form a conjugal union, is a social phenomenon of growing interest in many countries. This study examines the prevalence and associated factors of permanent celibacy in Burkina Faso, aiming to better understand the social, relational and familial dynamics underlying this lifestyle choice, as well as to foster broader reflections on gender norms and life choices in Burkina Faso. Methods: The study relies on individual-level data from the 2019 General Population and Housing Census (RGPH) of Burkina Faso. This dataset provides detailed information on sociodemographic characteristics, geographic distribution, family structure, and attitudes toward marriage and family. Both bivariate descriptive analysis (to assess the prevalence of permanent celibacy) and multivariate explanatory analysis (to identify determining factors) were employed. Results: Findings indicate that permanent celibacy is uncommon in Burkina Faso. Among men aged 50 or older and women aged 40 or older, only 2.3% remained unmarried. The phenomenon is more pronounced in the country’s two major cities, affecting 3.5% of men and 4.5% of women in the respective age groups. In Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso, religion, education level, disability, employment sector, and household living standards were significantly associated with permanent celibacy, regardless of gender. Nationwide, in addition to the factors identified in the two cities, occupation and residential setting (urban/rural) were also linked to permanent celibacy, irrespective of sex. Conclusion: The study concludes that permanent celibacy is rare in Burkina Faso among men aged 50+ and women aged 40+ and is influenced by a combination of cultural, socioeconomic, and individual factors. To obtain more precise and up-to-date insights into this phenomenon in Burkina Faso, further sociological and demographic studies would be necessary.