Cross-National Marriage in Sweden: Immigration and Assimilation 1971-1993

Abstract

Sweden, once considered a nation of emigration, has experienced a great deal of immigration and is now a multi-ethnic state. National data on marriages performed in Sweden between 1971 and 1993 are examined to analyze the rates and patterns of cross-national unions. Comparisons are made between Swedish men and women in their tendency to intermarry with particular nationalities over time. These intermarriage trends and patterns are discussed in relation to data on immigration to Sweden during approximately the same period. Findings show there has been a substantial increase in cross-national marriage in Sweden. When Swedes marry someone of another nationality it is most often a Finn and Swedish women more frequently than men marry non-Nordic spouses. The relative number of immigrants to Sweden from particular origin countries and their sex ratio is predictive of which nationality and gender are likely to intermarry with Swedes. These findings are considered from marriage market and assimilation perspectives.