New report: Young minority women getting married later in life

Research from the Rockwool Foundation suggests that the impact of the 24-year rule from decades ago has had a considerable impact

Back in 2002, the government ushered in the 24-year law: a reform of the immigration system that prohibits family reunification if one of the individuals is under the age of 24.

Decades later, researchers from the Rockwool Foundation have found that the law has had a significant effect on the age of minority women when they get married and have children.

The report showed that 7-8 percent of all women from non-EU countries aged 18-32 got married in Denmark in 2000.

That figure dropped to about 3 percent in 2018 – which is even lower than the average for ethnic Danish women.

READ ALSO: More young adults living with their parents due to “perfect storm” of high inflation and rental costs in Denmark

More marrying a Madsen
In 2000 almost 5 percent of the same 18-32 age group had their first child. That figure had declined to about 3.5 percent by 2018.

Meanwhile, the figure for ethnic Danish women has remained above 4 percent.

The report also revealed that young immigrant women are increasingly marrying Danes.

“How much this rise can be attributed to the reform is more unsure,” the report found.

“The share of young immigrant women marrying someone with a Danish background, or who was born in Denmark, was already increasing to some extent before the reform.”

Check out the entire report here (in Danish).




  • Why do U.S. politics have such visibility in Danish media?

    Why do U.S. politics have such visibility in Danish media?

    US politics in Denmark often receives more attention than domestic politics. Why is this happening?

  • The Capital Region economy grows: now is 43% of the country

    The Capital Region economy grows: now is 43% of the country

    While other regions are struggling, Hovedstaden is growing, and the Copenhagen metropolitan area is growing even more. On the employment front, around 11,000 jobs were created in Copenhagen, while Aalborg only saw an increase of 3,600.

  • DTU named best technical university in the EU

    DTU named best technical university in the EU

    The Technical University of Denmark, located half an hour from Copenhagen, has topped a new ranking of over 200 technical universities in the EU, where it stands out particularly for its excellence in research, innovation and internationalism.

  • Christmas in Denmark starts this week: a short guide

    Christmas in Denmark starts this week: a short guide

    Starting November 5, Christmas markets, ice skating, and other events will kick off the Christmas season. In Copenhagen, the big news this year is the return of ice skating at Kongens Nytorv, reopening after 16 years.

  • Are you ready to join Denmark’s new national baseball team?

    Are you ready to join Denmark’s new national baseball team?

    Baseball isn’t the first sport that comes to mind when you think of Denmark, but a dedicated group of players and volunteers is changing that. Under the leadership of Jay Cannon, a former professional baseball player from the United States, the Danish national baseball team has recently taken home the Nordic Cup, marking a turning point in the development of the sport in this country. 

  • These are expressions Danes resent

    These are expressions Danes resent

    You want to do well at work but find it difficult to understand the terms. Danes often say something that doesn’t quite express what they mean. Here are expressions you need to be aware of – not to use!


  • DTU named best technical university in the EU

    DTU named best technical university in the EU

    The Technical University of Denmark, located half an hour from Copenhagen, has topped a new ranking of over 200 technical universities in the EU, where it stands out particularly for its excellence in research, innovation and internationalism.

  • Come and join us at Citizens Days!

    Come and join us at Citizens Days!

    On Friday 27 and Saturday 28 of September, The Copenhagen Post will be at International Citizen Days in Øksnehallen on Vesterbro, Copenhagen. Admission is free and thousands of internationals are expected to attend

  • Diversifying the Nordics: How a Nigerian economist became a beacon for inclusivity in Scandinavia

    Diversifying the Nordics: How a Nigerian economist became a beacon for inclusivity in Scandinavia

    Chisom Udeze, the founder of Diversify – a global organization that works at the intersection of inclusion, democracy, freedom, climate sustainability, justice, and belonging – shares how struggling to find a community in Norway motivated her to build a Nordic-wide professional network. We also hear from Dr. Poornima Luthra, Associate Professor at CBS, about how to address bias in the workplace.