Assimilation by the Third Generation? Grandchildren of Immigrants Facing Educational Inequalities in France

Paul Siarry , INED
Mathieu Ichou, Institut National d'Études Démographiques (INED)
Ariane Pailhé, Institut National d'Études Démographiques (INED)

While many studies have shown that immigrants’ children have lower educational attainment than the majority population, much less is known on the grandchildren of immigrants. This study analyses the educational trajectories of the “third generation” in France. Is the educational attainment of the grandchildren of immigrants indistinguishable from that of native-born? Or do the inequalities identified in the second generation persist, or even widen for the third generation? Using data from the recent French TeO2 survey (INED-INSEE 2019-20) and by distinguishing grandchildren of immigrants according to their country of origin and gender, we observe enduring the educational disadvantages experienced by grandsons of North African immigrants. On the contrary, descendants of European immigrants and granddaughters of North African immigrants appear to experience educational assimilation.

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 Presented in Session 43. Migrant Populations and Education