Changes in Interracial Marriages in South Africa: 1996-2011

Abstract

The present study used census and survey data from 1996 to 2011 to examine changes in interracial marriages in South Africa a generation after the establishment of democracy in that country. While in-group marriages appear to be the norm, they have been declining dramatically over the years, especially amongst Asian/Indians and whites, the two groups least likely to marry outside their group. In fact, the odds ratio for overall in-marriage dropped from 303 in 1996 to 95 in 2011. Increased educational attainment increases the odds that black Africans and coloureds would marry Asian/Indians and whites and vice versa. Regardless of gender and of whether education is increasing or reducing the odds of intermarriage, the effects of education are declining over time suggesting the erosion of the social class differences between the races in South Africa.