[Comparative Evolution of the Mortality-rate in Africa Since 1960]

In this paper, the evolution of mortality since 1960 has been reconstructed for Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Egypt. The procedure has been to collect in each country all the existing data (population register, surveys, etc.), to check chronological and spatial cohesion and to estimate reliability, before making a final choice of the best estimates. The mortality transition has started. On the whole, progress has been remarkable during the last 20 years. In 1970 life expectancy was only from 50 to 52 years in the region; today it reaches nearly 70 years in Tunisia, 66 years in Algeria and Morocco, and 64 years in Egypt. Infant mortality has decreased considerably. Differences with regard to child mortality increased between countries. Tunisia maintained first place with the lowest rates. Algerian rates, however, are decreasing and have approached those of Tunisia within the last 10 years. Morocco is still in an intermediate position, and Egypt lags behind. Infant mortality ranges from 55 per 1000 in Tunisia to 80 per 1000 in Egypt. Female overmortality was one of the important characteristics of the region in the years 1960 and 1970. There is a tendency towards a decrease and a concentration in the first years of life (between 1 month and 5 years). But it still exists, denoting a certain sexual discrimination. Progress in North Africa during the 1950s and 1960s has resulted in an intermediate position regarding mortality levels.