Fertility after East–West Migration: A Register-Based Study of Immigrants in Finland

Leen Rahnu , University of Tallinn
Sanna Kailaheimo-Lönnqvist, University of Helsinki
Allan Puur, Tallinn University

This paper aims to compare parity specific fertility outcomes among Russians and Estonians, in Finland, with migrants from Western countries and other Eastern European countries. The individual-level register data employed in this study is longitudinal and spatially detailed. We focus on transitions to first, second and third births among women in Finland during the period 1999–2014. Our study relies on event history methodology. Preliminary result show that women from Estonia, Russia and other Eastern European countries, all have over 30% higher first birth risk compared to native Finns. Whereas women from Western countries (including other Nordic countries) experience considerably lower first birth risks compared to Finns. The pattern changes when it comes to higher parities. Timing of first birth and selective (return)migration are expected to explain observed pattern. We conclude that the more dynamic look at timing of first birth and progression to first and higher order parities helps to reveal sometimes contrasting patterns. There is variation in fertility patterns within Europe. Migrants who move between these countries potentially maintain the characteristic features of their country of origin.

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 Presented in Session 80. Fertility among immigrant populations