Does Interethnic Union Promote Occupational Mobility of Ethnic Minorities in Britain

Abstract

This paper investigates occupational outcome of intermarried Whites and ethnic minorities in Britain. The chance of achieving upward occupational mobility is estimated with bivariate probit models controlling for demographic and human capital characteristics and taking into account the endogeneity of intermarriage. It is found that intermarried ethnic minorities; men and women alike acquire better occupational attainment than their single and coethnic married counterparts. Intermarried ethnic minority men and women are approximately 6% and 12% more likely to achieve upward occupational mobility respectively. The intermarriage premium is larger for the first generation than the second generation. Across all ethnic groups, Indian men and women receive the highest gain from an interethnic union.