Marriage Pattern of Immigrants in Sweden

Abstract

The purpose of this study is (a) to depict the general pattern of partnership of immigrants and their children in Sweden and their position in the Swedish “marriage market” relative to that of natives; (b) to estimate probability of out-marriage of individuals from different immigrant groups with natives; and (c) to examine ‘exchange theory’ in relation to partnerships between immigrants and natives. Using a register data-set provided by Statistics Sweden, I find that individuals in this sample tend to choose men and women who are like themselves in socio-economic background, income, educational level, and position in the labour market. Regarding “immigrant background,” the results indicate a tendency towards “ethnic endogamy.” Results also show that men and women with origins in countries outside northwest Europe and North America (ONW) have a lower probability of having a native partner than others. Empirical results also provide some support for “exchange theory,” that is, members of the ONW immigrant group with native partners have compensated for their “tribal stigma of race/ethnicity” with their age and educational differences. They tend to be younger and better-educated than their native partners.