More Singaporean women marrying foreign grooms

In 2019, 1,727 Singaporean women wed non-resident grooms - 75 per cent more than the 989 in 2000. PHOTO: PIXABAY

SINGAPORE - More Singaporean women are saying "I do" to a foreigner over the past two decades.

In 2019, 1,727 Singaporean women wed non-resident (NR) grooms - 75 per cent more than the 989 in 2000.

And while more Singaporeans have been marrying foreigners, the increase is more significant for Singaporean women, with the data showing a 75 per cent spike over 20 years.

This is compared to the 4,426 Singaporean men who wed NR brides in 2019, a 15 per cent rise from 3,834 such unions in 2000.

Non-residents refer to those who are not Singaporeans or permanent residents.

In 2019, Singaporean women with non-resident grooms accounted for almost three in 10 (28 per cent) of all marriages between a citizen and a NR. This is up from about two in 10 (21 per cent) in 2000.

The demographic profile of a foreign groom has remained rather constant over the years.

About three in four (78 per cent) in 2019 have post-secondary or university education, and a median age of 31.3-years-old, with 60 per cent hailing from Asia. The rest came from North America, Europe, Oceania and other countries.

Sociologist Tan Ern Ser said opportunities to meet a foreigner increase as more Singaporean women go abroad for work or studies, and more foreign men move to Singapore for the same reasons.

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