Заключение и расторжение брака в современной России: микроэкономический анализ

Abstract

This paper presents economic approach to the analysis of marriage and divorce. Main theories on mate selection and marital instability are considered. Based on data of Russia Longitudinal Monitoring Survey (RLMS) 1995–2003 we observe the main tendencies on nuptiality and divorces, we construct transition matrixes allowing to see what share of population change their marital status during one year. We test the hypothesis of G. Becker on complementarity and substitutability of the traits of spouses. Thus various linkages among the characteristics (among them – nationality, religion, earning, etc.) of recently married spouses are investigated on empirical data: we found positive correlation between all parameters. Then we carry out an empirical analysis of the factors influencing the probability of marriage, the wedding age, the probability of divorce (such as salary, education, health self-evaluation, consumption of alcohol and tobacco, height, weight, urbanization level, and other factors). It was found in particular that employment status has different effect on marital chances of men and women; the advantage of wife in incomes is significant factor of divorce probability increase.