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Study: Rising Education Boosts Homogamy Rates in U.S.

4/18/2026

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Summary

Story summary

The study by Julia Leesch and Jan Skopek finds rising education and more female graduates increased homogamy in the United States, with unions rising from 62% in 1960 to nearly 71% by 2000.
France shows a U-shaped trend in homogamous unions over the same period.
The authors attribute these patterns to educational expansion and shifting gender dynamics.
They argue these changes affect economic inequality and partner selection.

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Story summary

The study by Julia Leesch and Jan Skopek finds rising education and more female graduates increased homogamy in the United States, with unions rising from 62% in 1960 to nearly 71% by 2000.
France shows a U-shaped trend in homogamous unions over the same period.
The authors attribute these patterns to educational expansion and shifting gender dynamics.
They argue these changes affect economic inequality and partner selection.