Integration processes: reproductive choices and education of immigrant and second generation groups in the UK

Lorraine Waller, University of Oxford
Sylvie Dubuc, University of Oxford

Following WWII immigration, the fertility of immigrants’ children increasingly shapes the ethnic diversity of the European population, although, little is known about their fertility. This paper provides novel fertility estimates for immigrant and second generation women in the UK, by ethnic groupings (including Black Caribbean, Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Chinese, Black African, White British and White Other), using the LFS-OCM method (Dubuc, 2009). The LFS-OCM estimates correct for migration-specific tempo effects, minimising the risk of overestimation of immigrants’ fertility using classical Period TFR. Results reveal intergenerational fertility transitions that strongly contribute to the fertility convergence between ethnic groups and indicating degrees of fertility ‘assimilation’ or ‘intergenerational adaptation’ to the UK mainstream childbearing behaviour, although ethnic differences remain. The analysis of fertility by educational attainment of women reveals consistent educational association with fertility patterns across immigrant and ethnic groups. Results provide evidence for educational/structural factors to be major determinants of ethnic fertility differentials and intergenerational changes. Findings further suggest a ‘socialisation’ impact of the UK context in shaping fertility of the second generation.