Intermarriages between Germans and foreigners in Germany

Marriage between immigrants and natives can be regarded as a measurement of assimilation and integration. The present analysis of inter-marriage in Ge rmany refers to the choice of partner. In contrast to other studies which a re based on current occurence of binational partnerships, the effects of se lection which stem from the different length of duration of partnerships in dependence of the choice of partner can be avoided. Furthermore, the prese nt analysis considers not only marital relationships but also the non-marit al choice of partner. The analysis relies on official data as well as on su rvey data. Summarizing the major results, German/foreign choice of partner can according to the respective nationalities be subdivided into three type s: (1) the neighbouring nationalities, (2) the large national groups in Ger many (especially the nations of guest workers) and (3) the nationalities in respect to which binational choice of partner cannot be explained by physi cal closeness. Inter-marriage according to type 1 and 2 are characterized b y parameters of social structure such as sex ration and the size of the for eign population, whereas in the latter case individual aspects are the deci sive factors.