SMAM Calculator
Compute the singulate mean age at marriage from proportions single in five-year groups starting at 15-19, assuming no marriage below 15 and that those still single in the last group (45-49) never marry.
Description
Compute the singulate mean age at marriage from proportions single in five-year groups starting at 15-19, assuming no marriage below 15 and that those still single in the last group (45-49) never marry.
Compute the singulate mean age at marriage from proportions single in five-year groups starting at 15-19, assuming no marriage below 15 and that those still single in the last group (45-49) never marry.1
When to use SMAM Calculator
Use this measure when marital states, marriage order, ages, and observation periods follow one consistent legal or survey definition.
- Proportion single
- Proportion never married in each five-year age group, starting with 15-19; the last listed group is treated as the 45-49 proxy for age 50.
How the method works
- SMAM
- Mean number of years lived single by those who marry before 50.
- Ever married
- Implied proportion ever married by age 50.
Limitations and assumptions
Marriage, union, separation, divorce, and remarriage definitions vary across jurisdictions and surveys. Cross-population comparisons require compatible age ranges and treatment of consensual unions.
Alternative or Complementary measures
Complement the period indicator with cohort histories, union duration, or age-specific proportions. Legal marriage records and survey-based union measures may answer different questions and should remain separate.
References
-
Marriage — Wikipedia contributors
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