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Explaining Trends and Patterns of Immigrants’ Partner Choice in Britain
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1830-7728
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EUI MWP; 2009/33
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MUTTARAK, Raya, Explaining Trends and Patterns of Immigrants’ Partner Choice in Britain, EUI MWP, 2009/33 - https://hdl.handle.net/1814/12675
Abstract
Based on the 1988–2006 General Household Survey (N=121,964), this paper investigates trends and
patterns of partnership formation of immigrants in Britain and explains underlying factors influencing
partner choice. The key questions are: 1) whom do the immigrants of different gender, generation and
ethnic groups form partnerships with: (a native partner, a native-born coethnic partner or a coethnic
partner born abroad); and 2) what the factors are explaining such a choice. Those born in the UK, or
who migrated to the UK at young age, and immigrant men as compared to women are more likely to
have a native partner. Age at union, marital status, educational qualification, area ethnic composition,
sex ratio and educational homogomy are significant predictors of one’s partner choice. Yet, ethnic
origin remains a crucial determinant of patterns of partnership formation. The statistical analysis
suggests that the rates of interethnic union with a native partner will continue to increase for Black
Caribbean, Black Africans and also gradually for highly educated Indians. The proportion of
Pakistanis and Bangladeshis having a native partner will remain low and simultaneously transnational
marriage with a coethnic partner from abroad will still be commonly practiced. Overall, interethnic
partnership between immigrants and natives are increasing in Britain.