Nuptiality and household in Italy. A long period geographical analysis (1861-1881)

Abstract

The almost 100 Italian counties are characterised by wide differences concerning both nuptiality and household structure. In this paper these geographical differences are studied, dealing with post-unitary period (1861-1981), using census data. The aim is to underline the most important geographical differences, giving an extensive foundation for the future interpretative research. Firstly, nuptiality indicators (people never married at age 50 and SMAM of Hajnal, both for males and females) are calculated in the five census years 1881, 1911, 1931, 1961,1981, reconstructing counties boundaries at 1961. This large table is summarised by three principal components analyses (both for males and females and considering together all indicators). Secondly, territorial differences by household structures are presented, mapping indicators of complex household (proportion of non-nuclear household) in 1881, 1931 and 1981. In 1931 and 1981 indicators are directly calculated by census data, in 1881 counties are ranked by diffusion of non-nuclear household, by an estimation procedure. Thirdly, connection between geography of nuptiality and household structure are studied in 1881 and 1931, with the aim of checking validity of Laslett and Hajnal framework for Italian situation.