This thesis may be broadly divided into two parts.The first part critically discusses various aspects of path analysis as a statistical tool for abstract analysis. The second part investigates the changing pattern of nuptiality in Bangladesh by districts using 1981 census data. Path analysis has been applied to find and analyze the nature and extent the of causal relationship between the dependent variable, nuptiality and its determinants. It is observed that education, urbanization,female employment and economic development are all strongly positivelyrelatedto nuptiality. That is, formal and effective education policy combined with proper urbanization and development policies may increase the female employment rate which in turn will raise age at marriage. Further, effects of various indices through childlessness is reasonably high. This indicates that appropriate population distribution policies and introduction of insurance schemes for childless couples and couples with fewer children may indirectly put positive effect on nuptiality.Ball State UniversityMuncie, IN 47306