Patterns of Intermarriage in Australia: Regional Variations in Intermarriage Rates

SynopsisThere has been a significant increase in the ethnic diversity of the Australian population since the 1950s and extended debate about the way in which various cultural groups relate to each other. One indication of the relationship between different ethnic groups is the extent to which members marry outside the group. This paper compares intermarriage patterns of males and females in selected urban and rural areas using data drawn from the 1986 Census. The findings show significant differences between the intermarriage patterns of males and females, and between geographical areas within Australia.