A decade of life-course research on fertility of immigrants and their descendants in Europe

Hill Kulu, Nadja Milewski, Tina Hannemann and Julia Mikolai
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Hill Kulu: University of St Andrews
Nadja Milewski: Universität Rostock
Tina Hannemann: University of Manchester
Julia Mikolai: University of St Andrews

Demographic Research, 2019, vol. 40, issue 46, 1345-1374

Abstract: Objective: This article provides an introduction to a special collection on childbearing among the descendants of immigrants in Europe. We first review recent life-course research on fertility of immigrants and their descendants followed by a summary of the papers of this special collection. Finally, we discuss their contribution and future research avenues. Results: The papers of this special collection report significant heterogeneity in childbearing patterns among descendants of immigrants. Some groups have fertility levels similar to those of natives, some have lower fertility, and some exhibit significantly higher fertility. Further, polarisation characterises many descendant groups; some individuals have small families or even remain childless, whereas others have large families. Conclusions: We conclude that factors related to mainstream society, minority subculture, and minority status all shape fertility behaviour of the descendants of immigrants and that their impact varies across descendant groups. Future research should investigate whether the observed heterogeneity in childbearing patterns is likely to decline over generations or the diversity is here to stay. Contribution: This article provides an introduction to a special collection on childbearing among the descendants of immigrants in Europe.

Keywords: fertility; second generation; ethnic minorities; Europe (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: J1 Z0 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (24)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:dem:demres:v:40:y:2019:i:46

DOI: 10.4054/DemRes.2019.40.46

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