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Belgian-Asian conjugal mixedness in Belgium since 1992: A quantitative perspective

par Monteil, Lucas
Référence Situated Mixedness: Understanding Migration-Related Intimate Diversity in Belgium, Taylor and Francis, page (111-133)
Publication Publié, 2024-01

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Résumé :

This chapter provides a quantitative analysis of the dynamics of conjugal mixedness among Belgian-Asian couples in Belgium from the inception of the Schengen area in 1992 to 2020, drawing on public statistics. It examines the evolving sociodemographic characteristics of these couples with a specific emphasis on nationality and gender dynamics across seven East and Southeast Asian nationalities (Chinese, Japanese, Laotian, Filipino, South Korean, Thai, and Vietnamese). The analysis highlights that Belgian-Asian conjugal mixedness is prevalent among certain Southeast Asian nationalities throughout the entire period, while other East Asian nationals exhibit levels more aligned with foreign nationals as a whole. A similar divide between East and Southeast Asia partially exists in terms of gender. The most “feminised” national populations in Belgian-Asian relationships are also predominantly Southeast Asian nationals, particularly Thais and Laotians, whereas Chinese migrants are the least feminised nationality among those studied. However, other nationalities from both regions exhibit divergent gender patterns. Furthermore, while the absolute number of Belgian-Asian mixed couples steadily increased until 2017, this trend has since begun to decrease, as has the rates of conjugal mixedness among each national group. The chapter explores various macro-level factors underlying these trends, including historical patterns of development in the countries of origin, post-colonial legacies, patterns of emigration and the international division of labour, and migration-related public policies both in the countries of origin and in Belgium.