Intermarriages between Germans and Foreigners in Germany

Abstract

Marriage between immigrants and natives can be regarded as a measurement of assimilation and integration. The present analysis of inter-marriage in Germany refers to the choice of partner. In contrast to other studies which are based on current occurence of binational partnerships, the effects of selection which stem from the different length of duration of partnerships in dependence of the choice of partner can be avoided. Furthermore, the present analysis considers not only marital relationships but also the non-marital choice of partner. The analysis relies on official data as well as on survey data. Summarizing the major results, German/foreign choice of partner can according to the respective nationalities be subdivided into three types: (1) the neighbouring nationalities, (2) the large national groups in Germany (especially the nations of guest workers) and (3) the nationalities in respect to which binational choice of partner cannot be explained by physical closeness. Inter-marriage according to type I and 2 are characterized by parameters of social structure such as sex ration and the size of the foreign population, whereas in the latter case individual aspects are the decisive factors.