What’s the difference between “descendant” and” descent”?
Which is correct and why?
1)Approximately a quarter of the population of the region are foreign born or of foreign descendent.
2) Approximately a quarter of the population of the region are foreign born or of foreign descent.

Question

Answer

Hello,

2nd option is correct. 
In context, here are the meanings and examples to clarify your doubt:

i. Descent - the origin or background of a person in terms of family or nationality.
: a person's ancestors
Example: She is of Korean descent.

ii. Descendant - someone who is related to a person or group of people who lived in the past.
Example: She's a descendant of Charles Darwin.

Answer

The correct word is 'descent'.

'Descent' is an abstract noun, referring to someone's background or origins in terms of family, nationality or ethnicity.

'Descendent' is wrong in this context. A descendent - more usually written as 'descendant' - is a particular person: your descendents are your grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren and so on.

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Thanks for your advice, though it isn’t my composition. I wrote it down from one of the university’s exams.

Answer

Hello, Emu.

I believe Su has answered your question.

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