Immigrants in France: a female majority

Abstract

In 2008, women represented 51% of the immigrant population in mainland France. As shown by theTrajectories and Origins survey (TeO), the feminization of the immigrant population is not simply the consequenceof family reunification. In fact, the most predominantly female migrant flows are those in which single or "pioneer" women (migrating ahead of their partner) are most numerous. It is no longer only women who migrate to France to join their partner : since 1998, one-third of secondary migrants for family reunification have been men, and their numbers are also increasing among migrants coming to France to marry a French national.
In short, despite remaining gender specificities, men and women now behave in very similar ways.