The impact of migration on family transitions: Russians in Russia and Estonia

Leen Rahnu, Tallinn University
Allan Puur, Estonian Interuniversity Population Research Centre
Luule Sakkeus, Tallinn University
Liili Abuladze, Tallinn University
Martin Klesment, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven

This study addresses the transformation of family and partnership patterns among Russian migrants and their descendants in Estonia, comparing them with native populations in Russia and Estonia. The investigation of the extent to which the new family behaviours like the spread of non-marital cohabitation, postponement of childbearing towards higher ages, the rise of childbearing outside marriage, growing divorce rates and rising proportions of higher order unions are adopted among populations with migrant origin is still limited in terms of the countries covered and family transitions addressed. The employed data from Russian and Estonian Generations and Gender Surveys enables to provide systematic comparison of the detailed life histories of migrants with native populations in the countries of origin and destination. This comparison is relevant for understanding both short- and long-term impact of migration on family patterns.