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Educational selectivity of marriage immigrants in South Korea: how bride immigrants differ

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  • Yunsun Huh

    (University of Wisconsin-Whitewater)

  • Matthew Winden

    (University of Wisconsin-Whitewater)

Abstract

This study explores the sociodemographic, labor market and educational selectivity differences between bride immigrants, who migrate through commercially arranged marriage, and other marriage immigrants to South Korea. Utilizing the 2015 Korea National Survey of Multicultural Families (KNSMF), bride immigrants are uniquely identified and compared across a range of sociodemographic and labor market characteristics to other marriage migrants. Combining the KNSMF dataset with 2013 Barro-Lee World Educational Attainment data, the educational attainment difference of bride immigrants and other marriage immigrants is constructed. Educational attainment differences between bride and other marriage immigrants are compared to one another and to their non-migrant counterparts in their home country. Results demonstrate that marriage immigrants in Korea are more educated than their home country counterparts, showing positive selection. Although the degree of selectivity for bride and other marriage immigrants is similar, bride immigrants are slightly less positively selected than other marriage immigrants.

Suggested Citation

  • Yunsun Huh & Matthew Winden, 2025. "Educational selectivity of marriage immigrants in South Korea: how bride immigrants differ," Journal of Population Research, Springer, vol. 42(3), pages 1-31, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:joprea:v:42:y:2025:i:3:d:10.1007_s12546-025-09375-0
    DOI: 10.1007/s12546-025-09375-0
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