Co-ethnic marriage versus intermarriage among immigrants and their descendants: A comparison across seven European countries using event-history analysis

Tina Hannemann, Laura Bernardi, Hill Kulu, Ariane Pailhé (), Allan Puur, Mihaela Hărăguş, Karel Neels, Amparo González-Ferrer, Ognjen Obućina, Layla Van den Berg, Gina Potarca and Leen Rahnu
Additional contact information
Tina Hannemann: University of Manchester
Laura Bernardi: Université de Lausanne
Hill Kulu: University of St Andrews
Allan Puur: Tallinna Ülikool
Mihaela Hărăguş: Babeș-Bolyai University
Karel Neels: Universiteit Antwerpen
Amparo González-Ferrer: Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)
Ognjen Obućina: Institut National d'Études Démographiques (INED)
Layla Van den Berg: Universiteit Antwerpen
Gina Potarca: Université de Genève
Leen Rahnu: Tallinna Ülikool

Demographic Research, 2018, vol. 39, issue 17, 487-524

Abstract: Background: Immigrants and their descendants often marry a co-ethnic partner despite the abundance of native-born marriage candidates. The prevalence of co-ethnic marriages and intermarriage among migrants is influenced by their integration level and cultural background as much as individual preferences and structural factors. Objective: This paper expands existing literature on intermarriage by analysing first marriages across European countries, distinguishing marriage type (endogamous versus exogamous) and migrant generations (immigrants versus their descendants). Methods: Data from seven countries was aggregated using the count-data method and was subsequently pooled and analysed together; first, to estimate unadjusted first marriage rates; second, to calculate marriage risks separately by marriage type; and, finally, to directly compare the risk of exogamous and endogamous marriage. Results: There are substantial differences in the prevalence of co-ethnic marriage and intermarriage across the migrant groups. Migrants from non-EU countries often show a high prevalence of co-ethnic marriages and a low risk of intermarriage, whereas migrants from neighbouring countries show a relatively high risk of intermarriage. Conclusions: Ethnic background and early socialisation have strong impacts on the partner choice of migrants and their descendants. The results suggest a strong influence of minority subcultures for some migrant groups, but also intergenerational adaptation processes for others. Contribution: This paper provides an up-to-date comparison of intermarriage rates across seven European countries and two migrant generations, presenting evidence of both similarities and differences across countries.

Keywords: Europe; mixed marriage; second generation; comparative studies (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: J1 Z0 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (8)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:dem:demres:v:39:y:2018:i:17

DOI: 10.4054/DemRes.2018.39.17

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