More migration marriages in 2009

Last year, 30 thousand people with a non-western background got married in the Netherlands. In 9 percent of cases, the partners came to the Netherlands to marry. The proportion is significantly higher among people with a Turkish and Moroccan background. The total number of migration marriages was 2,800 versus 2,400 in 2008.

More people with non-western background got married

The amount of non-native Dutch people who got married last year increased by 6 percent relative to 2008. The increase was most obvious among people with a non-western background living in the Netherlands. This was partly caused by the population growth in the age category 20-30, of whom most belong to the second generation. Nearly four in ten people with a non-western background who got married were of Turkish, Moroccan or Surinamese descent.

Marriage migration

Nearly 3 thousand migration marriages

With 2,800 in 2009, the number of marriages with partners who specifically came over to the Netherlands to marry was much lower than at the beginning of the 21st century. In 2001, a total of 6,200 migration marriages were registered. After several years of decline, the number of migration marriages has grown marginally since 2008.

Highest proportion among people with Turkish background

With 28 percent, the proportion of migration marriages is highest among first-generation people with a Turkish background. The second-generation, who were born in the Netherlands, less often (17 percent) married a partner from Turkey in 2009. The percentage is marginally higher than in 2008 (13 percent). With 22 and 9 percent respectively, the proportions of first and second-generation Moroccans who preferred to marry a partner from Morocco were much lower.

Partner choice of first-generation Turks who married in 2009

Partner choice of second-generation Turks who married in 2009

Elma Wobma