Muslims in the UK, 2011 Census..
In the UK Census 2011: Muslims made up the second largest religious group with 4.8% of the population. www.ons.gov.uk
- In 1981 the figure was x.x% (550,000)
- In 1991 the figure was 1.9%
- In 2001 the figure was 3.0% (1.6 million)
- In 2011 the figure was 4.8% (2.8 million)
- In 2014 the figure is estimated at 5.4%
- In 2021, assuming the same growth since 1991, the figure would be 7.7% (using just 10 year census figures)
New figures published in Jan 2016 show that the rise has continued, with a record 3,046,607 Muslims across England and Wales in 2014 – representing 5.4 per cent of the population. www.dailymail.co.uk and www.theguardian.com
- 9.1% of all children under 5 are Muslim
- 8.1% of all children ages 5 to 15 are Muslim.
- 19.8% of Muslims were in full-time employment, compared with 34.9% of the overall population.
Muslims in the Countries of the UK
The 2011 Census showed the Muslim populations for each part of the UK as:
- 5.02% England
- 1.50% Wales
- 1.45% Scotland
- 0.21% Northern Ireland
Further variations exist in smaller regions of the UK:
- In England and Wales there are 26 constituencies that have a Muslim population of more than 20%.
- The London Boroughs with the highest percentage of Muslims are Tower Hamlets with 45.6% Muslim, and Newham with 40.8%.
Other Major Areas include these Muslim Populations:
- 29% Blackburn
- 26% Slough
- 25.7% Luton
- 23% Birmingham
- 20% Leicester
- 18% Manchester
Perceptions of Muslim Populations
A study in 2011 showed that most people in the UK thought that the Muslim population of the UK was about 21%. www.theguardian.com
However, only 26 constituencies in the UK have a Muslim population of more than 20%.
That does explain why many people surveyed thought it was that figure, especially when some areas of the UK have between 25% and 45% Muslim populations.
Muslim Population Percentages around the World – 2014
- 8% France (but the French think it is 31%)
- 6% Belgium (but the Belgiums think it is 29%)
- 6% Germany (but the Germans think it is 19%)
- 5% Great Britain (but the British think it is 21%)
- 5% Sweden (but the Swedes think it is 17%)
- 4% Italy
- 2% Canada
- 2% Australia
- 2% Spain
- 1% US
2014 Report at: www.theguardian.com
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