The demography of London is analysed by the Office for National Statistics and data is produced for each of the Greater London wards, the City of London and the 32 London boroughs, the Inner London and Outer London statistical sub-regions, each of the Parliamentary constituencies in London, and for all of Greater London as a whole. Additionally, data is produced for the Greater London Urban Area. Statistical information is produced about the size and geographical breakdown of the population, the number of people entering and leaving country and the number of people in each demographic subgroup. The 2021 population of London was 8,799,800.

History

Creation of Greater London: 1965

Through the London Government Act of 1963, the Greater London region was established officially in 1965.

Migration boom: 1991 to today

From 1997 onwards, London has experienced a drastic change in the composition of the city's population, which has off-set the decline of the population which had been occurring.[citation needed] In 1991, 21.7% of the city was foreign born but by 2011 this had risen to 36.7%.

In 2011, a historic tipping point occurred with the release of the 2011 census, indicating that the White British population, which had before been the majority, was now no longer a majority of London's population, although it remained by far the largest single ethnic group.

Population

Population growth percentage in London between 2011 and 2021
Historical population
YearPop.±%
18011,011,157—
18111,197,673+18.4%
18211,450,122+21.1%
18311,729,949+19.3%
18411,917,013+10.8%
18512,286,609+19.3%
18613,094,391+35.3%
18713,902,178+26.1%
18814,709,960+20.7%
18915,565,856+18.2%
19016,226,494+11.9%
19117,157,875+15.0%
19217,553,526+5.5%
19318,098,942+7.2%
19417,987,936−1.4%
19518,164,416+2.2%
19617,781,342−4.7%
19717,449,184−4.3%
19816,608,513−11.3%
19916,887,280+4.2%
20017,172,036+4.1%
20118,173,941+14.0%
20218,799,800+7.7%
Source: [citation needed]

The historical population for the current area of Greater London, divided into the statistical areas of Inner and Outer London is as follows:

London population over time
YearInner LondonOuter LondonGreater London
1801879,491131,6661,011,157
18111,040,033157,6401,197,673
18211,263,975186,1471,450,122
18311,515,557214,3921,729,949
18411,661,346255,6671,917,013
18511,995,846290,7632,286,609
18612,634,143460,2483,094,391
18713,272,441629,7373,902,178
18813,910,735799,2254,709,960
18914,422,3401,143,5165,565,856
19014,670,1771,556,3176,226,494
19114,997,7412,160,1347,157,875
19214,936,8032,616,7237,553,526
19314,887,9323,211,0108,098,942
19414,224,1353,763,8017,987,936
19513,680,8214,483,5958,164,416
19613,336,5574,444,7857,781,342
19713,030,4904,418,6947,449,184
19812,425,5344,182,9796,608,513
19912,625,2454,262,0356,887,280
20012,765,9754,406,0617,172,036
20113,231,9004,942,1008,173,900
20213,404,3005,395,5008,799,800

Age

London population pyramid from 1991 to 2021
  • Population pyramid of each borough in London
  • Barking and Dagenham
  • Barnet
  • Bexley
  • Brent
  • Bromley
  • Camden
  • City of London
  • Croydon
  • Ealing
  • Enfield
  • Hackney
  • Greenwich
  • Harrow
  • Hammersmith and Fulham
  • Haringey
  • Hillingdon
  • Havering
  • Hounslow
  • Islington
  • Kensington and Chelsea
  • Kingston upon Thames
  • Lambeth
  • Lewisham
  • Merton
  • Newham
  • Redbridge
  • Richmond upon Thames
  • Southwark
  • Sutton
  • Waltham Forest
  • Tower Hamlets
  • Wandsworth
  • Westminster
  • Percentage of the population in age groups
  • Under 15s in London
  • 15 to 64 year olds
  • Over 64 years old

Fertility

The fertility rate of each London borough, 2021
The teenage conception rate in London, 1998 to 2017

In 2023, 104,252 live births occurred within London. The fertility rate of London in 2023 was 1.35, which is below replacement.

Total fertility rate by borough (2023)
London boroughTFR
Barking2.00
Redbridge1.77
Hillingdon1.72
Havering1.65
Croydon1.63
Waltham Forest1.63
Enfield1.61
Harrow1.61
Newham1.60
Hounslow1.58
Barnet1.57
Brent1.53
Bexley1.51
Bromley1.50
Sutton1.49
Ealing1.48
Merton1.39
Greenwich1.38
Haringey1.33
Richmond upon Thames1.30
Hackney1.31
Lewisham1.26
Kingston upon Thames1.24
Wandsworth1.14
Tower Hamlets1.11
Kensington and Chelsea1.10
Lambeth1.09
Hammersmith1.06
Southwark1.06
Islington1.01
Westminster1.00
Camden1.00

Population density

A map of Greater London's 2011 population density

The population density of London was 5,727 per km2 in 2011.

Urban and metropolitan area

At the 2001 census, the population of the Greater London Urban Area was 8,278,251. This area does not include some outliers within Greater London, but extends into the adjacent South East England and East of England regions. In 2004, the London Plan of the Mayor of London defined a metropolitan region with a population of 18 million.

Eurostat has developed a harmonising standard for comparing metropolitan areas in the European Union. The population of the London Larger Urban Zone is 11,917,000. It occupies an area of 8,920 square kilometres (3,440 mi2). Another definition gives the 2007 population of the metropolitan area as 13,709,000.

Ethnicity

For the overwhelming majority of London's history, the population of the city was ethnically homogenous with the population being of White British ethnic origin, with small clusters of minority groups such as Jewish people, most notably in areas of the East End. From 1948 onwards and especially since the 1990s, the population has diversified in international terms at an increased rate.

In 2011, it was reported for the first time that White British people had become a minority within London, establishing that London was a majority-minority city within the UK. In 2005, a survey of London's ethnic and religious diversity claimed that there were more than 300 languages spoken, and 50 non-indigenous communities with a population of more than 10,000 in London.

Ethnicity overall

London's ethnic demographics, 1961 to 2021
The ethnic makeup of London in single year age groups in 2021
The ethnic makeup of London over time by age cohorts

The following table shows the ethnic group of respondents from estimates in 1971 and in the 1991–2021 censuses in Greater London.

Ethnic make-up of Greater London
Ethnic GroupYear
1961 estimations1966 estimations1971 estimations1981 estimations1991 census2001 census2011 census2021 census
Number%Number%Number%Number%Number%Number%Number%Number%
White: Total7,602,23397.7%–95.9%6,901,59692.6%5,893,97386.6%5,333,58079.80%5,103,20371.15%4,887,43559.79%4,731,17253.8%
White: British––––6,500,00087%––––4,287,86159.79%3,669,28444.89%3,239,28136.8%
White: Irish–––3.6%401,5965.4%––256,4703.83%220,4883.07%175,9742.15%156,3331.8%
White: Gypsy or Irish Traveller––––––––––8,1960.10%7,0310.1%
White: Gypsy––––––––––––37,6890.4%
White: Other––––––––594,8548.29%1,033,98112.65%1,290,83814.7%
Asian or Asian British: Total–––1.5%––425,4266.3%690,03110.33%946,89413.20%1,511,54618.49%1,817,64020.8%
Asian or Asian British: Indian––––––232,8813.4%347,0915.19%436,9936.09%542,8576.64%656,2727.5%
Asian or Asian British: Pakistani––––––59,4400.9%87,8161.31%142,7491.99%223,7972.74%290,5493.3%
Asian or Asian British: Bangladeshi––––––41,7920.6%85,7381.28%153,8932.15%222,1272.72%322,0543.7%
Asian or Asian British: Chinese––––––35,9380.5%56,5790.84%80,2011.12%124,2501.52%147,5201.7%
Asian or Asian British: Other Asian––––––55,3750.8%112,8071.68%133,0581.86%398,5154.88%401,2454.6%
Black or Black British: Total–––2.6%––405,3946%535,2168.01%782,84910.92%1,088,64013.32%1,188,37013.5%
Black or Black British: African–––0.6%––102,2301.5%163,6352.44%378,9335.28%573,9317.02%697,0547.9%
Black or Black British: Caribbean–––2%––239,9563.5%290,9684.35%343,5674.79%344,5974.22%345,4053.9%
Black or Black British: Other Black––––––63,2080.9%80,6131.20%60,3490.84%170,1122.08%145,9111.7%
Mixed or British Mixed: Total––––––––––226,1113.15%405,2794.96%505,7755.7%
Mixed: White and Black Caribbean––––––––––70,9280.99%119,4251.46%132,5551.5%
Mixed: White and Black African––––––––––34,1820.48%65,4790.80%77,3410.9%
Mixed: White and Asian––––––––––59,9440.84%101,5001.24%125,1881.4%
Mixed: Other Mixed––––––––––61,0570.85%118,8751.45%170,6911.9%
Other: Total––––––80,7931.2%120,8721.81%113,0341.58%281,0413.44%556,7686.3%
Other: Arab––––––––––––106,0201.30%139,7911.6%
Other: Any other ethnic group––––––––––113,0341.58%175,0212.14%416,9774.7%
Non-White: Total179,1092.3%–4.1%547,5887.4%911,62613.4%1,346,11920.2%2,068,88828.85%3,286,50640.2%4,068,55346.2%
Total7,781,342100%–100%7,449,184100%6,805,599100%6,679,699100.00%7,172,091100.00%8,173,941100.00%8,799,725100%
  • White (2001-2021)
  • White-British (2021)
  • White-Irish (2021)
  • White-Other White (2021)
  • Asian (2001-2021)
  • Asian-Bangladeshi (2021)
  • Asian-Chinese (2021)
  • Asian-Indian (2021)
  • Asian-Pakistani (2021)
  • Black (2001-2021)
  • Black-African (2021)
  • Black-Caribbean (2021)
  • Other-Arab (2021)
  • Other-Any Other Ethnic Group (2021)
Population pyramid of London by ethnicity in 2021
  • Population pyramids of each ethnic group in London
  • White: Total
  • White British
  • White Irish
  • White Other
  • Asian: Total
  • Asian Bangladeshi
  • Asian Indian
  • Asian Pakistani
  • Asian Chinese
  • Other Asian
  • Black: Total
  • Black: Caribbean
  • Black: African
  • Other Black
  • Mixed: Total
  • Other: Total
  • Other: Any other ethnic group
  • Other: Arabs

Ethnicity of school pupils

Ethnicity of school pupils within London
Ethnic groupSchool year
199820012004200820122015/162017/182019/202021/2022
Number%Number%Number%Number%Number%Number%Number%Number%Number%
White: Total521,82659.8%467,23051.4%431,04046.7%416,49042.8%443,62141.1%522,18740.4%520,76739.8%506,27138.7%
White: British––––389,35042.9%339,61036.8%305,80531.4%295,57227.4%333,49725.8%324,35824.8%312,52223.9%
White: Irish––––10,6101.2%8,6100.9%7,6100.8%6,9390.6%7,3220.6%6,7590.5%6,2680.5%
White: Traveller of Irish heritage––––1,0900.1%9200.1!1,0000.1%1,0310.1%1,1830.1%1,2050.1%1,1820.1%
White: Gypsy/Roma––––7800.09%9500.1%1,5050.2%1,6430.2%2,0740.2%2,3590.2%2,3580.2%
White: Other––––65,4107.2%80,9508.8%100,57010.3%138,43612.8%178,11113.8%186,08614.2%183,94114.0%
Asian / Asian British: Total135,05715.5%159,37017.5%174,38018.9%198,28020.4%228,76721.2%283,44322%296,32422.6%305,06923.2%
Asian / Asian British: Indian65,8237.5%57,9906.4%54,5705.9%54,4905.6%62,0655.7%78,7006.1%85,5216.5%89,6396.8%
Asian / Asian British: Pakistani27,3663.1%31,2203.4%34,6803.8%41,2354.2%47,9314.4%59,0474.6%60,4154.6%60,7074.6%
Asian / Asian British: Bangladeshi34,0533.9%38,8804.2%44,1004.8%51,3005.3%59,6915.5%73,9945.7%77,4085.9%79,9546.1%
Asian / Asian British: Chinese7,8150.9%7,2200.8%6,9700.8%6,9200.7%7,8830.7%10,1160.8%10,4750.8%12,2670.9%
Asian / Asian British: Other Asians––––24,0602.6%34,0603.7%44,3354.6%51,1974.7%61,5864.8%62,5054.8%62,5024.8%
Black / Black British: Total140,66116.1%170,78018.8%188,75020.5%208,37521.4%226,21520.9%254,08119.7%244,98818.7%234,82217.9%
Black: Caribbean57,2536.6%63,0206.9%59,7506.5%57,9805.9%55,4145.1%57,8624.5%53,7334.1%50,1783.8%
Black: African56,2236.4%91,02010%110,09011.92%128,29513.1%145,44713.5%167,05812.9%162,68012.4%156,88312.0%
Black: Other Blacks27,1853.1%16,7401.8%18,9302.1%22,1002.3%25,3542.3%29,1612.3%28,5752.2%27,7612.1%
Mixed / British Mixed––––57,7206.4%70,3307.6%84,6158.7%104,4709.7%134,22610.4%142,13510.8%150,28511.3%
Other: Total60,7347%34,7503.8%44,2904.8%52,6405.4%60,8655.6%74,5895.7%77,4135.9%82,5166.3%
Unclassified14,8571.7%18,7602.1%6,7500.7%13,4701.4%16,1941.5%22,2321.7%27,9352.1%30,3592.3%
Total:873,145100%908,600100%922,890100%973,875100%1,080,132100%1,290,758100%1,309,562100%1,309,322100%
  • School pupils as a percentage of the school population in each borough in 2021/2022 school year
  • White: Total
  • White: British

Ethnicity of births

Ethnic GroupYear
1981 estimates20072010201520192021
Number%Number%Number%Number%Number%Number%
White: Total–80%58,02446.4%65,11749.5%61,71647.8%57,40548.7%53,14148%
White: British––––––––––25,82723.3%
White: Other––––––––––27,31424.7%
Asian / Asian British: Total––21,70117.3%24,44518.5%26,95720.9%24,61620.9%24,42622.1%
Asian / Asian British: Indian––––––––––8,2597.5%
Asian / Asian British: Pakistani––––––––––4,3413.9%
Asian / Asian British: Bangladeshi––––––––––5,4584.9%
Asian / Asian British: Other Asians––––––––––6,3685.8%
Black / Black British: Total––22,03617.6%22,29316.9%18,52614.3%15,31913%13,47612.2%
Black: Caribbean––––––––––2,8932.6%
Black: African––––––––––8,6977.9%
Black: Other Blacks––––––––––1,8861.7%
Mixed / British Mixed––7,9676.3%9,4247.1%11,9799.3%12,04110.2%12,50211.3%
Other: Total––6,3375%5,8314.4%6,7705.2%6,4945.5%5,3674.8%
Not Stated––9,0557.2%4,3913.3%3,1702.4%1,8801.5%1,7871.6%
Non-White: Total (not including Not stated)–20%58,04146.2%61,99346.9%64,23249.7%58,47049.6%55,77150.4%
Total:–100%125,120100%131,501100%129,118100%117,755100%110,699100%
  • Ethnicity of births as a percentage of total births in 2021
  • White (49.6% including Not stated)
  • White: British (24.9% including Not stated)
  • Asian (22.1%)
  • Black (12.2%)
  • Mixed (11.3%)

Ethnicity in boroughs

This table shows the proportion of different multi-ethnic groups by London borough, as found in the 2021 census.

Broad multi-ethnic group make-up of London boroughs (2021)
Local authorityWhiteMixedAsianBlackOther
Barnet57.75.419.37.99.8
Barking and Dagenham44.94.325.921.43.6
Bexley71.93.59.912.22.5
Brent34.65.132.817.510
Bromley76.55.48.37.62.3
Camden59.56.618.19.06.8
City of London69.45.516.82.75.6
Croydon48.47.617.522.63.9
Ealing43.25.230.310.810.6
Enfield52.15.911.518.312.1
Greenwich55.76.013.2214.2
Hackney53.16.710.421.18.7
Haringey5778.717.69.7
Harrow36.53.845.27.37.2
Havering75.33.710.78.22
Hammersmith and Fulham63.26.710.512.37.3
Hillingdon48.24.433.37.86.3
Hounslow44.14.736.77.27.3
Islington62.27.59.913.37.1
Kensington and Chelsea63.76.611.97.99.9
Kingston upon Thames68.35.417.82.85.7
Lambeth558.17.3245.7
Lewisham51.58.1926.84.7
Merton60.25.918.610.64.6
Newham30.84.742.217.54.9
Redbridge34.84.147.38.45.4
Richmond upon Thames80.55.58.91.93.3
Southwark51.47.29.925.16.3
Sutton68.34.817.55.93.4
Tower Hamlets39.4544.47.33.9
Waltham Forest52.86.519.9155.8
Wandsworth67.86.311.710.14.1
Westminster55.26.516.88.113.5

Detailed Race and Ethnicity by borough (2021 Census)

BoroughWhiteBritishIrishGypsy or Irish TravellerRomaWhite OtherAsianIndianPakistaniBangladeshiChineseOther AsianBlackAfricanCaribbeanOther BlackMixedWhite and Black CaribbeanWhite and Black AfricanWhite and AsianOther MixedOtherArabAny other ethnic groupTotal
Barking and Dagenham98,27567,5501,18518485828,49856,58311,50315,79922,3931,3855,50346,80735,1015,8245,8829,3202,9742,3761,5502,4207,8861,4896,397218,871
Barnet224,762140,7777,6441791,55474,60874,97230,3896,6872,8739,43425,58930,65122,6704,9513,03020,8893,5053,7476,0327,60538,0707,38330,687389,344
Bexley177,164158,8422,52862030214,87224,43410,9251,3831,7903,9906,34630,07523,2623,2303,5838,7402,4891,7262,1792,3466,0625275,535246,475
Brent117,70151,6119,3142372,52054,019111,51566,15715,2172,1863,39324,56259,49531,07021,2587,16717,2493,7753,1843,6076,68333,86117,92415,937339,821
Bromley252,295219,4934,95457855126,71927,30712,3261,7841,7485,0756,37425,14913,1938,1693,78717,7405,4892,4314,7475,0737,5001,2036,297329,991
Camden125,06474,3485,32512897844,28538,0426,9521,61014,3566,7288,39618,89214,1912,7031,99813,9382,5582,0594,2435,07814,2004,4179,783210,136
Croydon188,985146,2684,9352121,12036,45068,48729,56315,3453,5493,95016,08088,44140,21936,10812,11429,74510,3804,4535,7409,17215,0662,25912,807390,724
Ealing158,46389,2658,5112481,43059,009111,24154,80616,7143,6854,52631,51039,49122,57812,8984,01519,1614,5972,4465,4456,67338,76016,10522,655367,116
Enfield171,884103,1405,9693741,12161,28040,05811,8703,6748,1232,69111,61560,51236,46316,9907,05919,5585,1652,9943,8187,58140,0582,53537,523329,985
Greenwich161,006119,6654,23038588235,84438,02810,1283,5382,3957,12514,84260,60244,1858,7247,69317,2975,1423,3023,4915,36212,1321,46210,670289,065
Hackney137,70987,9275,58224886543,08726,8858,8322,4616,5543,4595,57954,64529,47817,9037,26417,4874,7492,7353,6916,31222,4212,34220,079259,147
Hammersmith and Fulham115,67970,1054,812931,48539,18419,3064,1002,0101,2774,2537,66622,45313,2436,6262,58412,3183,1571,7773,1424,24213,4005,5347,866183,156
Haringey150,58184,2985,7012352,00458,34323,0805,8382,1624,8193,8486,41346,46624,85516,3395,27218,5565,3252,5743,9156,74225,5552,52523,030264,238
Harrow95,23353,5675,6081791,42134,458118,15274,74410,2641,8202,78428,54019,15110,5846,5142,0539,8332,1871,1043,1403,40218,8366,23912,597261,205
Havering197,314174,2322,89425943319,49628,15011,2925,6834,7742,0114,39021,56714,1384,8322,5979,7473,2241,5352,3442,6445,2748094,465262,052
Hillingdon147,387113,3775,58547969127,255101,93857,34114,2434,0503,18423,12023,95515,8445,7522,35913,3593,1511,8974,2014,11019,2684,46214,806305,907
Hounslow127,08381,9333,8941,27698039,980105,84660,82717,4542,6992,66422,20220,81014,8953,5732,34213,5142,7262,1424,1284,51820,9285,46115,467289,161
Islington134,75486,0927,06210895840,53421,5324,0519955,9725,1255,38928,74318,0917,3683,28416,2314,1712,2573,7506,05315,3302,99112,339216,590
Kensington and Chelsea91,39446,8832,825841,04940,55317,0253,2091,2821,4883,8397,20711,2796,9443,2371,0989,5251,7251,2883,0473,46514,1506,3847,766143,373
Kingston upon Thames114,83190,2882,6336144521,40429,9387,7314,3809324,12712,7684,7413,1051,0815558,9961,5641,0903,5402,8029,5593,5805,979168,065
Lambeth174,778119,3956,8281461,53746,87223,0516,0543,8682,5024,9865,64176,14537,35928,9919,79525,6308,3484,0064,5418,73518,0462,64915,397317,650
Lewisham154,749111,7265,0551161,03336,81926,9275,0462,3611,8266,29611,39880,47337,83431,88310,75624,2538,7263,7744,3597,39414,1511,67112,480300,553
Merton129,61788,6734,33719481335,60040,0199,6079,6672,4703,61514,66022,88712,2187,6323,03712,7653,0091,7223,7564,2789,8991,9237,976215,187
Newham107,94751,8192,0393532,34251,394148,18738,64231,21655,6776,21316,43961,30240,87413,5866,84216,4194,2533,3173,3245,52517,1753,53413,641351,030
Redbridge107,97471,8443,0921851,10431,749146,83351,18344,00031,8952,91816,83726,09614,5738,4523,07112,7363,1541,7173,5774,28816,6222,26314,359310,261
Richmond upon Thames157,111123,0934,8668540028,6673,6872,26093649117,4677,23617499162,777478910,6621,6541,2054,2383,5656,3501,7214,629210,995
Southwark158,220109,2536,0241561,57941,20830,5406,1452,0065,5478,4058,43777,29948,32018,15610,82322,1516,4013,5694,6537,52819,4303,12316,307307,640
Sutton143,145120,0143,11813032119,56212,4657,4413,4501,57436,78712,6186,1771,7783,98912,22510,1622,7771,2683,0683,0497,0771,3925,685240,246
Tower Hamlets122,26671,1773,5671102,22545,187137,85610,1353,341107,33310,2796,76822,69315,3734,9302,39015,4093,5932,2364,3745,20612,0823,5888,494310,306
Waltham Forest147,02494,7664,2301981,39746,43355,5459,13428,7405,1662,6269,87941,64718,75917,5875,30117,9835,1352,7773,8756,19616,2292,88413,345278,428
Wandsworth222,090157,0488,0611201,73055,13138,3149,59912,2491,6394,65810,16933,06217,33011,3564,37620,5985,3402,4945,7766,98813,4423,8609,582327,506
Westminster112,73257,1623,742491,50350,27634,2427,9652,4617,5336,6259,65816,45610,4514,3071,69813,3352,0612,0893,7185,46727,47115,43912,032204,236
City of London5,9553,6491850592,0621,44532133287545259232153542547053491791894821143688,584
  • White multi-ethnic group over time
  • 1991 (79.8%)
  • 2001 (71.2%)
  • 2011 (59.8%)
  • 2021 (53.8%)
  • Asian multi-ethnic group over time
  • 1991 (10.3%)
  • 2001 (13.2%)
  • 2011 (18.5%)
  • 2021 (20.8%)
  • Black multi-ethnic group over time
  • 1991 (8%)
  • 2001 (10.9%)
  • 2011 (13.3%)
  • 2021 (13.5%)

Country of birth

Foreign born within London, from 1851 to 2021
Foreign born in London by age, 1991 to 2021
The 2021 UK born and foreign born population pyramid in London. Males and females representing the UK born population, while foreign males and females representing the foreign born population.
Foreign born and UK born percentage of age groups in London

The 2021 census recorded that 3,575,740 people or 40.7% of London's population are foreign-born, including 27.9% born in a non-European country.

Country of BirthYear
1951 (County of London)1971 census1981 census1991 census2001 census2011 census2021 census
Number%Number%Number%Number%Number%Number%Number%
Europe3,239,24096.8%6,568,34890.76%5,787,62487.57%5,639,19284.4%5,741,63680%6,174,37175.5%6,346,64972.1%
United Kingdom3,018,41890.2%6,133,10584.74%5,405,57681.79%5,228,65878.3%5,231,70172.9%5,175,67763.3%5,223,98659.3%
England2,871,07285.8%5,175,88478.3%5,001,65874.9%5,010,96969.9%4,997,07261.1%5,075,16557.7%
Scotland62,980109,9351.7%113,1171.7%108,6821.5%89,5271.1%75,0040.9%
Wales59,41679,0001.2%70,5321.1%71,9621.0%53,8280.7%44,8060.5%
Northern Ireland42,2430.6%37,5740.5%32,7740.4%28,2480.3%
Republic of Ireland Ireland89,895236,3963.26%199,4603.01%214,0333.2%157,5562.2%129,8071.6%96,5661.1%
European Community or Other Europe130,9273.9%198,8472.74%182,5882.76%196,501352,379865,6811,122,66312.8%
Germany Germany18,02432,0270.5%39,8180.6%55,4760.7%50,3640.6%
France France8,08120,9230.3%38,1300.5%66,6540.8%77,7150.9%
Italy Italy9,60330,0520.4%38,6940.5%62,0500.8%126,0591.4%
Spain Spain19,0470.3%22,4800.3%35,8800.4%68,1140.8%
Poland Poland32,78721,8230.3%22,2240.3%158,3001.9%149,3971.7%
Romania Romania1,7371,7740.0%3,0490.0%44,8480.5%175,9912.0%
Cyprus Cyprus6,79950,6840.8%45,8880.6%35,3000.4%
Russia Russia16,0465,2340.1%10,3610.1%16,7570.2%25,7700.3%
Turkey Turkey1,08020,4260.3%39,1280.5%59,5960.7%72,8670.8%
Asia20,9990.6%161,7772.23%234,5993.54%435,8196.5%634,9178.9%966,99011.8%1,146,24713%
India India16,370104,0011.43%139,1232.10%151,6192.3%172,6612.4%262,2473.2%322,6443.7%
Pakistan Pakistan1,57829,3950.40%35,6250.53%44,7410.7%66,6580.9%112,4571.4%129,7741.5%
Bangladesh Bangladesh22,1080.33%56,6570.8%84,5651.2%109,9481.3%138,8951.6%
Sri Lanka Sri Lanka25,8180.4%49,9320.7%84,5421.0%80,3790.9%
China China1,3506,9960.1%13,7760.2%39,4520.5%56,1160.6%
Hong Kong Hong Kong58618,3980.3%23,3280.3%26,4350.3%33,7600.4%
Other Asia––28,3810.39%37,7410.57%––––––––
Old Commonwealth14,2330.4%38,7380.53%37,0640.56%53,3200.8%84,264––84,248
Australia Australia6,53623,3150.3%41,4880.6%53,9590.7%43,4180.5%
Canada Canada5,33911,6260.2%15,2820.2%21,2880.3%21,7720.2%
New Zealand New Zealand2,35818,3790.3%27,4940.4%28,5470.3%19,0580.2%
Africa10,7830.3%74,6601.03%144,0722.18%246,025454,536621,613625,0717.1%
South Africa South Africa4,6686,4710.1%45,5070.6%57,7650.7%47,9640.5%
Nigeria Nigeria1,26136,0470.5%68,9071.0%114,7181.4%117,1451.3%
Kenya Kenya31456,9930.9%66,3110.9%64,2120.8%58,0200.7%
Ghana Ghana26,9250.4%62,8960.8%65,9050.7%
Somalia Somalia5033,8310.5%65,3330.8%66,2880.8%
America/Caribbean (NCWP for 1971)12,2410.4%165,3692.28%167,3992.53%249,191326,280367,6644.2%
Jamaica Jamaica2,13976,4451.1%80,3191.1%87,4671.1%52,6130.6%
United States United States5,94232,6670.5%44,6220.6%63,9200.8%71,1270.8%
Brazil Brazil357–31,3570.4%55,7870.6%
Antarctica and Oceania (including Australasia) and Other––––––––70,63284,66164,2280.7%
British Overseas––––––––––––5,994–
Other: Total––227,8293.14%237,8403.59%1,11821,17926––
Foreign born: Total224,8019.8%1,103,6161,451,04121.7%1,940,39027.1%2,998,26436.7%3,575,74040.7%
Total3,347,982100%7,236,721100.00%6,608,598100.00%6,679,699100%7,172,091100%8,173,941100%8,799,726100%

NOTE: The sub-categories included for each continent may not add up to their respective total amount because the sub-categories are only supposed to show the most numerous country of birth from said area.

  • Foreign born in the County of London (excluding Irish born)
  • 1901 (5% overall including Irish born)
  • 1911 (5% overall including Irish born)
  • 1921 (4% overall including Irish born)
  • 1931 (5% overall including Irish born)
  • 1951 (8% overall including Irish born)
  • Foreign born in London over time
  • 1961 (9.8%)
  • 1971 (15.3%)
  • 1981 (18.2%)
  • 1991 (21.7%)
  • 2001 (27.1%)
  • 2011 (36.7%)
  • 2021 (40.7%)
Region of birth of mother1969199020012006201120162021
Number%Number%Number%Number%Number%Number%Number%
United Kingdom80,79668.6%72,10868.2%59,10456.7%57,37647.5%57,45043.2%53,86641.8%47,95843.2%
Foreign born36,99331.4%33,59431.8%45,05843.3%63,52252.5%75,38356.7%74,92358.2%62,98656.8%
EU6,9776.7%11,3099.4%18,40213.8%22,57317.5%18,36516.5%
Rest of Europe3,3803.2%4,0903.4%4,1603.1%5,3824.2%5,9335.3%
Middle East and Asia13,48913%18,20615%25,47819.2%24,23518.8%21,39419.2%
Africa13,60013.1%20,04316.6%19,86615%15,60012.1%10,7259.7%
Rest of the world7,6127.3%9,8748.2%7,4775.6%7,1335.5%6,5695.9%
Total117,789100%105,702100%104,162100%120,898100%132,843100%128,803100%110,961100%
  • Born to foreign born mothers
  • 2007
  • 2014
  • 2021
  • Population pyramids of country of birth groupings in 2021
  • UK born
  • Foreign born: Total

Country of birth by borough

This table shows country of birth by London borough according to 2021 census:

London top 30 sources of immigration by borough
Barking and DagenhamBarnetBexleyBrentBromleyCamdenCroydonEalingEnfield
1Nigeria9,4341Romania13,4301Nigeria8,8311India35,2031India6,8421United States5,9121India14,3741India31,8191Turkey17,053
2Romania9,4162India11,3352India5,4882Romania17,7222Nigeria3,5152Bangladesh5,8142Jamaica9,3972Poland18,8162Cyprus EU9,972
3Bangladesh9,2903Iran11,2273Romania2,4153Poland7,2353Ireland2,9423France5,2653Poland7,9793Pakistan7,7573Bulgaria8,264
4Pakistan7,2754Poland7,5514Poland2,0824Somalia6,6784Poland2,8264Italy4,4424Ghana7,2444Afghanistan7,0064Romania6,812
5India6,6775Israel4,7205Ireland1,8715Pakistan6,5855Romania2,4265India3,2705Pakistan6,9605Sri Lanka6,0205Poland5,894
6Lithuania5,4946Ireland4,6816Ghana1,6406Kenya6,3706South Africa1,9396China3,1116Nigeria6,1856Somalia5,8486Albania4,921
7Ghana3,3207Italy4,5337Sri Lanka1,3097Ireland5,8507Italy1,8727Ireland3,0647Sri Lanka5,1657Ireland5,3167Ghana4,738
8Bulgaria2,7498Kenya4,3848Lithuania1,2808Sri Lanka5,6728Jamaica1,7538Somalia2,9548Romania4,8608Italy5,2438Jamaica4,072
9Poland2,3219Philippines3,9029Nepal1,2039Brazil5,5329China1,7389Germany2,4089Italy3,2689Romania4,9869Nigeria3,861
10Moldova2,22210Nigeria3,84610Bulgaria1,19810Jamaica5,42310Sri Lanka1,51410Spain2,30910Ireland3,16410Iraq4,77910Somalia3,807
11Italy2,07311Afghanistan3,72911China1,14311Italy4,66211Brazil1,49911Australia2,06911Portugal3,10411Iran3,79611India3,730
12Albania1,39412Albania3,68012Italy1,01812Philippines4,41512France1,40312Philippines2,06312Kenya3,08812Kenya3,76012Bangladesh3,537
13Somalia1,31113South Africa3,23213Bangladesh82913Iraq3,64613Philippines1,32413Iran1,94313Uganda2,32813Japan2,97413Ireland3,283
14Kosovo1,26114China3,07414Kenya82614Portugal3,52814Germany1,28514Kosovo1,91914Bulgaria2,21414France2,78014Italy3,167
15Portugal1,25315Pakistan3,04215Hong Kong74415Afghanistan3,50415United States1,22515Poland1,90115Brazil2,18615Syria2,74715Mauritius2,839
16Philippines1,12216Bulgaria3,02116Vietnam74016Syria2,89816Bulgaria1,20816South Africa1,73516Spain1,98216Nepal2,64316Greece2,438
17Ireland1,07217Turkey2,81117Jamaica69117Spain2,67017Ghana1,12817Greece1,71217Mauritius1,85717Spain2,40917Sri Lanka2,194
18DR Congo1,00318Cyprus EU2,73218Pakistan68518Nigeria2,55918Lithuania1,11618Japan1,63818France1,68218Portugal2,21218Kenya1,897
19Jamaica97019Sri Lanka2,56419South Africa67919Uganda2,44719Turkey1,07319Russia1,58419Germany1,58119Bangladesh2,11119Iran1,710
20Sri Lanka95220United States2,47020Turkey65520Ghana2,35820Spain1,06420Brazil1,45320South Africa1,55120Philippines2,05920DR Congo1,685
21Kenya89221Hong Kong2,40021Germany62921France2,33921Australia1,02621Canada1,39121Turkey1,50721Brazil2,03621Pakistan1,489
22Zimbabwe76522Somalia2,27622Zimbabwe62822Iran2,19222Hong Kong1,00722Hong Kong1,34322Guyana1,48022Bulgaria2,01922Kosovo1,465
23Uganda71123Portugal2,24823Cyprus EU62723Kuwait1,83923Portugal99423Portugal1,29823Bangladesh1,46823Jamaica1,98323Uganda1,280
24Spain63524Hungary2,20624Albania57724Hungary1,83124Albania95924Turkey1,22424Afghanistan1,46324United States1,90024Portugal1,207
25Turkey61225Brazil2,19325Sierra Leone56125Morocco1,65525Cyprus EU91425Israel1,19325Philippines1,43725Lebanon1,68725Philippines1,132
26Ukraine58826Greece2,11826France53326United States1,50126Kenya84626Romania1,11526Somalia1,22626Germany1,63026Spain1,129
27China55127France2,10927United States51127Nepal1,49327Zimbabwe82427Nigeria1,06327China1,20327Nigeria1,60327Brazil963
28Afghanistan54328Ghana2,01328Portugal48328Bulgaria1,46228Pakistan82228Malaysia1,02328United States1,17128China1,52928Hungary943
29Sierra Leone53429Kosovo2,00329Spain48329Tanzania1,34829Bangladesh71329Cyprus EU80129Zimbabwe1,14429Greece1,52129Germany862
30Germany52030Spain1,98730Moldova45430China1,32830Russia69430Colombia79030Lithuania1,08830South Africa1,43730Lithuania831
GreenwichHackneyHammersmith and FulhamHaringeyHarrowHaveringHillingdonHounslowIslington
1Nigeria14,3571Turkey8,6741Italy5,4081Turkey9,4651India26,3761Romania5,3931India27,7381India38,0281Italy5,079
2Nepal5,9632Nigeria5,2392France5,0942Poland7,2122Romania21,0822India4,6032Pakistan6,4662Poland11,1052France4,346
3India5,7463Italy4,3783United States3,4223Romania6,3533Kenya10,8593Nigeria4,1373Poland6,3983Pakistan8,2553Turkey4,220
4Romania4,8124France3,9264Spain3,2584Bulgaria5,9054Sri Lanka10,7064Lithuania2,8414Afghanistan6,3244Afghanistan6,4444United States4,149
5Poland3,4495United States3,7355Ireland3,0365Italy5,2795Afghanistan4,8255Pakistan2,5055Romania5,5755Romania5,4435Ireland4,116
6Italy3,0656Poland3,5296Philippines2,9436Jamaica3,7996Pakistan4,4856Ireland2,0826Sri Lanka5,1066Kenya3,7556Australia3,225
7China2,8187Ireland3,3117Poland2,5537Spain3,3577Uganda3,8577Bangladesh1,9107Kenya3,6707Nepal3,4297Somalia3,070
8Lithuania2,7448Jamaica3,2508Somalia2,4468Ireland3,3128Poland3,6028Poland1,8688Ireland3,5118Somalia3,0328Spain2,872
9Ghana2,7309Australia3,1889Australia2,3189Ghana3,1539Ireland3,2459Moldova1,7699Somalia3,2819Ireland2,5939Bangladesh2,381
10Ireland2,72310India3,12610China2,03810Cyprus EU3,13610Tanzania2,56010Ghana1,24610Nepal2,15210Italy2,50710China2,079
11Bulgaria2,22511Ghana3,08811India1,99411Brazil3,04511Somalia2,45511Bulgaria1,17211Italy1,93411Sri Lanka2,39211Germany1,958
12Somalia2,07312Spain2,87612Germany1,67512Albania2,86712Nepal1,58012Philippines1,13812Bangladesh1,92712Philippines2,36512India1,839
13Jamaica2,04713Bangladesh2,51113Iran1,63513Colombia2,67413Iraq1,50613Albania93513Portugal1,80713Portugal2,03113Poland1,806
14France1,95914Israel2,38614Brazil1,63314Somalia2,64214Jamaica1,50514Sri Lanka76414Philippines1,51514Bulgaria1,96014Greece1,782
15Vietnam1,90815Germany2,23015Portugal1,56815Nigeria2,38015Italy1,45315Italy75215Nigeria1,51415Lithuania1,55615Nigeria1,477
16Hong Kong1,79916Portugal1,81316South Africa1,56416United States2,23816Kuwait1,37616Zimbabwe71016Uganda1,38116Iran1,49116Brazil1,370
17United States1,77917Brazil1,71217Greece1,28917France2,15717Iran1,33117South Africa68117Iraq1,22817Moldova1,40517Colombia1,316
18Spain1,71118Colombia1,52418Romania1,18618Bangladesh2,15318Nigeria1,19918Jamaica67118Germany1,18318Spain1,40018Portugal1,292
19Brazil1,61619Somalia1,51219Hong Kong1,05519India2,13519Philippines1,17219Kenya66219Hong Kong1,14219France1,39119Romania1,244
20Pakistan1,60120Vietnam1,33620Russia1,02620Greece2,08720Germany1,16520China59220Lithuania1,13820United States1,38320Canada1,224
21Germany1,52021Canada1,29421Iraq1,00821Hungary1,82021France1,04321Turkey58821Iran1,12621Bangladesh1,38021Cyprus EU1,190
22Portugal1,47322New Zealand1,25722Ethiopia1,00522Portugal1,67622Ghana91522Germany49522China1,12522Uganda1,33222Eritrea1,164
23South Africa1,46523DR Congo1,24423Canada96523Germany1,53523Hong Kong82023Portugal48823Moldova99723Brazil1,26323New Zealand1,163
24Sri Lanka1,45324Cyprus EU1,23524Nigeria93424China1,45124Bangladesh81224Spain48524Tanzania97624Nigeria1,20524Jamaica1,122
25Turkey1,33025China1,21825Pakistan91325Australia1,40725China79225Ukraine47325Bulgaria95925Ghana1,19725Hong Kong1,102
26Russia1,10326Romania1,21126Turkey90726South Africa1,21426Brazil79026Hong Kong46026South Africa94026Ukraine1,15226South Africa1,065
27Uganda1,09327Belgium1,13527New Zealand87927Ecuador1,16527Portugal77427Uganda43427United States90927South Africa1,12327Ethiopia876
28Bangladesh1,05128Greece1,03628Jamaica85028Philippines1,07328South Africa76628Kosovo43328Jamaica90428Hong Kong1,07328Philippines868
29Moldova1,01029Pakistan1,02029Colombia81729Mauritius1,03629Bulgaria73929Cyprus EU39429Spain85729Germany1,06129Iran855
30Australia1,00830South Africa96430Eritrea79730DR Congo1,03130United States73530Mauritius39130Brazil84530Albania1,05930Ghana850
Kensington and ChelseaKingston upon ThamesLambethLewishamMertonNewhamRedbridgeRichmond upon ThamesSouthwark
1United States5,8061India3,6901Jamaica7,8421Nigeria9,2781Poland6,9341Bangladesh26,8601India23,6511India3,2921Nigeria11,173
2Italy5,5182Sri Lanka3,3652Portugal7,0122Jamaica8,6792Sri Lanka5,5952India21,8182Pakistan18,4792United States2,8412Italy5,939
3France5,2723Poland2,5683Italy5,6753Italy4,0473Pakistan4,9253Romania17,4553Bangladesh14,0993Ireland2,8323Jamaica4,553
4Spain2,9924Korea (South)2,4254Nigeria5,1394Romania3,9244India4,7014Pakistan13,8264Romania11,0994South Africa2,6184Spain4,520
5Philippines2,7625South Africa2,0595Poland4,8175Poland3,8415South Africa3,6365Italy7,0265Sri Lanka6,8665Poland2,4855Ghana4,321
6Germany1,9526Pakistan1,9796Spain4,3446Sri Lanka3,2756Bulgaria3,1576Lithuania6,4396Moldova4,2956Germany2,1066Sierra Leone4,262
7China1,8907Bulgaria1,8247Ireland4,2307Ireland2,9427Ghana3,0377Nigeria5,8137Italy3,4287Italy2,0427France3,789
8Iran1,8418Iraq1,6578Ghana4,1068Spain2,9088Romania2,9328Bulgaria4,8008Kenya3,4258Australia1,8928Ireland3,642
9Russia1,7469Ireland1,6309France3,8289Ghana2,8389Italy2,6939Poland4,2889Lithuania3,0879Turkey1,8319United States3,373
10Ireland1,74510Italy1,60910Brazil3,52110India2,55410Ireland2,62810Ghana4,08510Poland2,58310France1,44010Colombia3,371
11India1,69811China1,54811Colombia3,36011France2,48911Brazil2,13311Philippines4,03311Bulgaria2,43011Iran1,38911China3,352
12Australia1,68412Germany1,54412United States3,06112China2,22212Jamaica1,98812Moldova3,98512Nigeria2,32112Spain1,29212India3,003
13Lebanon1,49213Philippines1,34613Australia2,96613Brazil2,19013Portugal1,71113Sri Lanka3,83713Ireland2,04313Brazil1,18013Poland2,837
14Portugal1,43714Iran1,29814Ecuador2,91414United States2,07814Spain1,68514Somalia3,75514Somalia1,51114China1,02514Brazil2,505
15Morocco1,34815Romania1,15715Somalia2,51115Vietnam1,88415France1,57115Portugal2,77415Mauritius1,43915Hong Kong98515Ecuador2,441
16Greece1,32516United States1,11316India2,46316Germany1,78516Germany1,51516China2,56716Uganda1,42516Romania94416Germany2,323
17Brazil1,29417Hong Kong1,11017Germany2,17917Portugal1,70117Philippines1,47317Brazil2,55717Jamaica1,32217Russia92117Bangladesh2,181
18Iraq1,27818France1,02718South Africa2,10218Sierra Leone1,55918United States1,43718Spain2,51218Albania1,22518Afghanistan91618Australia2,165
19Turkey1,21519Brazil92619Eritrea1,84119Bulgaria1,50519Nigeria1,33819Jamaica2,27319Ghana1,19919New Zealand85619Philippines2,100
20Poland1,16820Spain90420China1,79720Colombia1,40920China1,21120Uganda1,73220Afghanistan1,14020Canada84520Portugal1,889
21Canada1,14221Portugal86221Pakistan1,61721Lithuania1,35921Australia1,16221Kenya1,72521Turkey1,11021Sweden82221Bolivia1,825
22South Africa1,02622Turkey85322Romania1,55322Cyprus EU1,35322Bangladesh1,09222France1,67922France1,09022Pakistan77522Romania1,758
23Japan90623Afghanistan84823New Zealand1,39623Turkey1,35123Korea (South)1,08123Ireland1,48623Portugal1,05923Bulgaria76523Vietnam1,658
24Hong Kong89024Australia73524Philippines1,31324Somalia1,34224Turkey1,04824Ukraine1,36624Germany93424Kenya72224Somalia1,509
25Colombia86525Kenya70625Sierra Leone1,14925Australia1,31625Kenya90725Hungary1,32825Spain93025Greece68325Hong Kong1,477
26Switzerland84926Albania65326Ethiopia1,14626Ecuador1,26626Hong Kong84326Afghanistan1,21926Tanzania86626Portugal61426Greece1,428
27Kosovo82427Russia64327Bulgaria1,12927South Africa1,15427Uganda84227Hong Kong1,17627Ukraine81727Hungary58827South Africa1,387
28Romania80928Greece62128Hong Kong1,08428Ivory Coast1,14928Mauritius81428Latvia1,11728Cyprus EU79128Japan54028Dominican Republic1,298
29Sweden80829Hungary60929Canada1,07629Philippines1,08729Lithuania76729Greece1,01029China72329Netherlands52829Cyprus EU1,272
30Somalia80730Lithuania57230Vietnam1,02730Pakistan1,01830Zimbabwe71330Germany99230Philippines71930Philippines50430Canada1,266
SuttonTower HamletsWaltham ForrestWandsworthWestminster
1India6,8911Bangladesh43,5611Pakistan11,0351Italy6,8641United States6,421
2Sri Lanka4,6222Italy10,5532Romania11,0152Pakistan6,5332Italy6,125
3Poland3,4073India6,3173Poland5,4863Poland5,6983France5,675
4Pakistan3,1094China4,8184Bulgaria5,4384Ireland5,0624India4,446
5Bulgaria2,2315France4,5625Turkey3,5165South Africa4,8605Spain3,593
6Ireland1,9256Spain3,7916India3,3426France4,6296Iraq3,328
7Romania1,8907Somalia3,1077Jamaica3,2787United States4,4867Bangladesh3,191
8South Africa1,6458Poland3,0778Italy2,9448India4,2808China3,088
9China1,4129Romania2,7659Lithuania2,5299Australia4,0629Greece2,631
10Philippines1,38510United States2,72810Ghana2,47410Spain3,85810Germany2,530
11Italy1,21211Germany2,40111Ireland2,47111Brazil3,15611Iran2,458
12Ghana1,21212Ireland2,31512Bangladesh2,28512Germany2,97612Russia2,442
13Nigeria1,14413Australia2,23913Somalia2,25913Jamaica2,94413Philippines2,415
14Portugal97614Brazil2,21814Moldova2,07514Philippines2,71314Ireland2,346
15Germany96915Greece1,94515Nigeria2,02115Somalia2,63015Brazil2,249
16Turkey96916Hong Kong1,86516Sri Lanka1,94416Portugal2,35716Portugal2,200
17Hong Kong92417Portugal1,81217Spain1,78617New Zealand1,97517Australia2,097
18Brazil90418Russia1,70018Albania1,69318Ghana1,81918Lebanon1,997
19Bangladesh83319Lithuania1,68319Algeria1,68419Romania1,73119Poland1,946
20Mauritius77520Pakistan1,56620Mauritius1,40220Turkey1,64720Kuwait1,918
21Kenya77021Bulgaria1,53921Philippines1,34121China1,62721Morocco1,853
22Uganda70422Turkey1,47622France1,33022Nigeria1,59422Japan1,714
23Zimbabwe70223Nigeria1,45923Cyprus EU1,29023Bulgaria1,54023Turkey1,599
24Spain67024South Africa1,35624Portugal1,26324Greece1,46624Kosovo1,471
25Iran66725Philippines1,15525Ukraine1,22125Hong Kong1,45925Romania1,428
26Albania66026Malaysia1,12826Germany1,16726Canada1,44726Canada1,398
27Jamaica63627Vietnam1,11327Brazil1,14927Sri Lanka1,29727South Africa1,365
28France63028Hungary1,07828United States1,11228Russia1,26028Hong Kong1,363
29Korea (South)60429Canada1,06129Hungary1,05829Colombia1,22929Sudan1,299
30Lithuania59330New Zealand92230Afghanistan1,05430Kenya1,14930Egypt1,265

Languages

The percentage of London's population whose main language is English, 2021

In the 2011 Census, 6,083,420 or 77.9% of London's population aged 3 and over spoke English as a main language. A further 1,406,912 (19.8%) spoke it as a second language, or well to very well. 271,693 (3.5%) could not speak English well, while 47,917 (0.6%) could not speak English at all.

2,456 (<0.1%) spoke other UK minority languages, with the most common being Welsh and 2,926 (<0.1%) used British Sign Language. This shows great challenges for TfL and other government services. For example most ticket vending machines use only English, French and up to 2 other western Europe hemisphere languages, while as shown below most demand is for Indian languages, Polish, etc.

The most common main languages spoken in Greater London in the 2011 and 2021 censuses are shown below.

Main language

Languages spoken in London by usual residents aged 3+
20112021
LanguageNumberPercentageNumberPercentage
English6,083,42077.90%6,650,97378.40%
Romanian39,6530.50%159,3381.90%
Spanish71,1920.90%117,4571.40%
Polish147,8161.90%112,0681.30%
Bengali114,2671.50%101,9751.20%
Portuguese71,5250.90%94,2051.10%
Gujarati101,6761.30%82,6101.00%
Italian49,4840.60%81,2931.00%
Punjabi68,5250.90%74,2050.90%
Arabic70,6020.90%72,1020.80%
Tamil70,5650.90%70,6730.80%
Turkish71,2420.90%69,6410.80%
French84,1911.10%67,0490.80%
Urdu78,6671.00%63,6260.80%
Bulgarian47,6480.60%
Persian39,6450.50%39,2330.50%
Somali54,8520.70%37,3460.40%
Malayalam26,9240.30%36,0150.40%
Russian26,6030.30%31,9060.40%
Lithuanian35,3410.50%30,7680.40%
German31,3060.40%19,0740.20%
Other441,9685.66%

Proficiency in English

Language proficiencyLondon (aged 3 and over)
20112021
Number%Number%
Main language is English6,083,42077.9%6,650,97378.4%
Main language is not English1,726,52222.1%1,831,69021.6%
Can speak English very well763,5029.8%840,4639.9%
Can speak English well643,4108.2%636,2267.5%
Cannot speak English well271,6933.5%303,2653.6%
Cannot speak English47,9170.6%51,7360.6%
Total7,809,942100%8,482,663100%

Religion

The religious identity of Londoners, in single year age groups, 2021

In 2001, Christians were the majority of London's population, at 58.23%. In 2021, the Christian percentage was 40.66%. The population identifying with no religion rose from 15.76% in 2001, to 27.05% in 2021. This shift suggests a growing trend of secularization in London.[citation needed]

The Muslim population increased from 8.46% in 2001, to 14.99% in 2021. The number of individuals who chose not to state their religion fell from 8.66% in 2001, to 7.00% in 2021.

Hindu's were 4.07% of the population in 2001, and were 5.15% in 2021. The Jewish community were 2.09% in 2001, and 1.65% in 2021. Sikhs were 1.45% in 2001, and 1.64% in 2021. Other religions, including Buddhism, collectively accounted for small but fluctuating percentages, with Buddhism specifically ranging from 0.76% in 2001, to 0.88% in 2021.

In 1850, there was an estimated 20,000 Jews in London. By 1883 there was around 46,000 Jews in London.

These changes are influenced by factors including immigration, generational attitudes, and broader social trends.[citation needed]

Religious affiliation of Londoners
Religion1950 estimates1960 estimates1975 estimates1984 estimates1995 estimates2001 census2011 census2021 census
Number%Number%Number%Number%Number%Number%Number%Number%
Christian––––––––––4,176,17558.23%3,957,98448.42%3,577,68140.66%
No religion––––––––––1,130,61615.76%1,694,37220.73%2,380,40427.05%
Muslim––––––––––607,0838.46%1,012,82312.39%1,318,75414.99%
Religion not stated––––––––––621,3668.66%692,7398.47%615,6627.00%
Hindu––––––––––291,9774.07%411,2915.03%453,0345.15%
Jewish250,000–280,000–228,000–210,000–196,000–149,7892.09%148,6021.82%145,4661.65%
Sikh––––––––––104,2301.45%126,1341.54%144,5431.64%
Other religion––––––––––36,5580.51%47,9700.59%86,7590.99%
Buddhist––––––––––54,2970.76%82,0261.00%77,4250.88%
Total––––––––––7,172,091100%8,173,941100%8,799,728100%
  • Christianity
  • Islam
  • Hinduism
  • Judaism
  • Sikhism
  • Buddhism
  • Other religion
  • No religion
Population pyramid of London by religion in 2021
  • Population pyramids of each religious group in London
  • Christian
  • No religion
  • None stated
  • Muslim
  • Hindu
  • Buddhist
  • Sikh
  • Jewish
  • Other religion

Ethnicity by religion

Ethnic Group2021 census
ChristianMuslimHinduOtherNo religionUndeclared
NumberNumberNumberNumberNumberNumber
White: Total2,271,066113,0381,450164,1951,837,754343,671
White: British1,426,51137,544841112,9111,446,794214,682
White: Irish109,149604601,72035,7939,007
White: Gypsy or Irish Traveller4,852141161301,445447
White: Roma25,646890204557,6802,998
White: Other704,90873,85951348,979346,042116,537
Asian or Asian British: Total205,801716,586421,063197,465175,004101,716
Asian or Asian British: Indian75,62566,763329,329122,74231,28930,524
Asian or Asian British: Pakistani3,601264,2015485825,19516,421
Asian or Asian British: Bangladeshi1,057295,9633,5704424,17516,843
Asian or Asian British: Chinese26,01860316216,72289,54614,469
Asian or Asian British: Other Asian99,50089,05687,45456,97744,79923,459
Black or Black British: Total775,655216,7589769,382103,01582,586
Black or Black British: African434,796196,6473752,96525,60336,667
Black or Black British: Caribbean241,7363,8753994,85160,82533,719
Black or Black British: Other Black99,12316,2362021,56616,58712,200
Mixed or British Mixed: Total197,93947,5323,94314,004194,90947,449
Mixed: White and Black Caribbean57,6711,964751,80959,10311,933
Mixed: White and Black African39,1379,6319897521,1216,380
Mixed: White and Asian36,02712,6482,6485,11856,59912,148
Mixed: Other Mixed65,10423,2891,1226,10258,08616,988
Other: Total127,219224,84025,60269,14369,72240,241
Other: Arab6,420113,809611,1747,39410,932
Other: Any other ethnic group120,799111,03125,54167,96962,32829,309
Total3,577,6811,318,754453,034454,1932,380,404615,662

Social issues

Marriage and divorce

In 2019, 29,139 marriages occurred within London.

Abortion

In 2020, 27.7% of conceptions were aborted in London.

  • Abortion in London
  • The percentage of conceptions aborted in London by each borough in 2020
  • Abortion rates by age group in London

Sexual orientation and gender identity

Sexual orientationLondon (aged 16 and over)
2021
Number%
Straight or Heterosexual6,123,19586.2%
Gay or Lesbian158,7602.2%
Bisexual108,1401.5%
All other sexual orientations37,4820.5%
Not answered676,4089.5%
Total7,103,985100%
Gender identityLondon (aged 16 and over)
2021
Number%
Gender identity the same as sex registered at birth6,479,66491.2
Gender identity different from sex registered at birth but no specific identity given32,7530.5%
Trans woman11,2660.2%
Trans man11,4800.2%
All other gender identities8,8620.1%
Not answered559,9607.9%
Total7,103,985100%

Health

In 2021, the suicide rate in total was 6.6 for every 100,000 people. For males it was 9.9 and for females it was 3.4.

  • Variety of health issues in graphs
  • Suicide rates in London
  • Drug misuse rate in London
  • Percentage of Year 6s obese in 2020 in London
  • Percentage of Reception age children obese in 2020

General health

General health (self-identified)200120112021
Number%Number%Number%
Very good health5,078,97870.8%4,127,78850.5%4,712,35853.6%
Good health2,725,64533.3%2,802,39531.8%
Fair health1,499,19820.9%915,03511.2%908,94110.3%
Bad health593,9158.3%305,3433.7%283,8643.2%
Very bad health100,1301.2%92,1701.0%
Total7,172,091100%8,173,941100%8,799,728100%

Disability

Disability statusLondon
1991 (long term illness)2001 (limiting long term illness)20112021
Number%Number%Number%Number%
Disabled (under the Equality Act)742,87010.7%1,111,28415.5%1,157,1614.1%1,164,45613.2%
Disabled under the Equality Act: Day-to-day activities limited a little––––605,5017.4%658,5477.5%
Disabled under the Equality Act: Day-to-day activities limited a lot––––551,6646.7%505,9095.7%
Not disabled (under the Equality Act)––––7,016,77685.8%7,635,27286.8%
Not disabled under the Equality Act: No long term physical or mental health conditions––––7,016,77685.8%7,175,71881.5%
Not disabled under the Equality Act: Has long term physical or mental health condition but day-to-day activities are not limited––––––459,5545.2%
Total6,887,280100%7,172,091100%8,173,941100%8,799,728100%

Income and industry

In 2022, the vast majority of people within London worked in the service sector.

  • Income and industry of London in images
  • Employment rate in London
  • Unemployment rate in London
  • Gross Disposable Household Income (GDHI) across London in 2020
  • Employment in public or private sector in London

Industry

London's employment sectors over time
Industry sectorLondon (aged 16 and over in employment)
1961 (10% sample)1981 (10% sample)1991 (10% sample)200120112021
Number%Number%Number%Number%Number%Number%
A: Agriculture, Forestry and fishing7720.2%445–613–11,0330.3%2,3630.1%2,8270.1%
B: Mining and quarrying296–––2,9611%4,4870.1%5,6060.1%4,9570.1%
C: Manufacturing156,035 (Production)41.5%58,64919.1%29,88910.5%253,3587.6%128,9053.2%131,6743.0%
D: Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply5,1811.7%3,1951.1%11,0350.3%10,3580.3%15,0400.3%
E: Water supply; Sewerage, Waste management and Remediation activities14,2070.4%12,7320.3%
F: Construction20,3476.6%18,3956.5%174,7315.3%262,3566.6%340,9927.8%
G: Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles––––––478,37414.4%522,20413.1%531,84212.2%
H: Transport and storage––29,7609.7%25,0568.9%270,3588.1%200,336205,7334.7%
J: Information and communication––––––276,3556.9%332,3947.6%
I: Accommodation and food service activities (Distribution or catering; 1981 + 1991)213,766 (Services)56.9%58,77819.2%54,12319.1%153,3574.6%251,574237,8875.5%
K: Financial and insurance activities––57,67220.4%937,37728.3%306,443288,1136.6%
L: Real estate activities––79,52092,4032.1%
M: Professional, scientific and technical activities––434,405456,96510.5%
N: Administrative and support service activities––234,191262,9526.0%
P: Education––––247,7677.5%384,156418,7659.6%
Q: Human health and social work activities––––334,78310.1%428,586563,23812.9%
O: Public administration and defence; compulsory social security4,7951.3%––––178,2615.4%201,545209,6074.8%
R, S, T, U: Other and not stated––131,19442.6%90,74032.1%264,2138.0%255,787251,9585.8%
Total375,664100%307,857100%282,644100%3,319,134100%3,998,897100%4,360,079100%

Method of transportation to work

Method of transportationLondon (aged 16 and over in employment)
1981 (10% sample)1991 (10% sample)200120112021
Number%Number%Number%Number%Number%
Work mainly at or from home9,5933.1%12,4334.4%285,9357.5%202,6795.1%1,836,82342.1%
Underground, metro, light rail, tram39,03512.7%––642,47616.9%902,26322.6%431,8429.9%
Train32,63810.6%74,26226.3%661,16617.4%532,72013.3%231,0745.3%
Bus, minibus or coach51,40916.7%32,13111.4%376,9269.9%561,60514.0%386,0688.9%
Taxi––––21,9620.6%20,3140.5%22,5440.5%
Motorcycle, scooter or moped6,4812.1%3,2391.1%55,7521.5%45,9761.1%30,4040.7%
Driving a car or van90,52229.4%108,54638.4%1,294,08134.0%1,120,82628.0%897,11120.6%
Passenger in a car or van22,9037.4%10,0683.6%92,8192.4%69,6591.7%63,8831.5%
Bicycle7,3082.4%5,7832.0%78,8042.1%161,7054.0%128,8333.0%
On foot40,56313.2%27,5239.7%281,3387.4%352,6128.8%279,4536.4%
Other method of travel to work (or Not stated)7,4052.4%8,6593.1%14,3960.4%28,5380.7%52,0401.2%
Total307,857100%282,644100%3,805,655100%3,998,897100%4,360,075100%

Note: The proportion of people working from home in 2021 was distorted by the rules surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hours worked weekly

Hours worked weeklyLondon (aged 16 and over in employment)
1991 (10% sample)200120112021
Number%Number%Number%Number%
Full-time224,49479.4%2,651,79379.9%2,973,84474.4%3,137,42472%
Full-time: 31 to 48 hours worked224,49479.4%2,063,59862.2%2,338,71658.4%2,555,49458.6%
Full-time: 49 or more hours worked588,19517.7%635,12815.9%581,93013.3%
Part-time46,31916.4%667,34120.1%1,025,05325.6%1,222,65328%
Part-time: 15 hours or less worked15,8125.6%224,3496.8%346,1068.7%464,49710.7%
Part-time: 16 to 30 hours worked30,50710.8%442,99213.3%678,94717%758,15617.3%
Not stated11,8314.1%––––––
Total282,644100%3,319,134100%3,998,897100%4,360,077100%

Distance to travel to work

Distance to travel to work200120112021
Number%Number%Number%
Less than 2 km475,10214.3%474,58511.9%331,1917.6%
2 km to less than 5 km659,23019.9%715,93617.9%484,89411.1%
5 km to less than 10 km803,14324.2%926,64623.2%533,67112.2%
10 km to less than 20 km686,96020.7%795,83319.9%409,5309.4%
20 km to less than 30 km128,5603.9%154,5893.9%79,8971.8%
30 km to less than 40 km32,8121.0%38,3101.0%23,1450.5%
40 km to less than 60 km25,0010.8%28,2940.7%15,8080.4%
60 km and over36,2821.1%52,0831.3%29,9170.7%
Works mainly from home285,9358.6%380,6659.5%1,836,82342.1%
Works mainly at an offshore installation, in no fixed place, or outside the UK186,1095.6%––615,20114.1%
Other––431,95610.8%––
Total3,319,134100%3,998,897100%4,360,077100%

Note: The proportion of people working from home in 2021 was distorted by the rules surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.

National identity

National identity makeup of London by single year ages in 2021
National identity20112021
Number%Number%
British only2,526,80830.9%5,011,39656.9%
English only3,035,09037.1%717,8948.2%
Welsh only31,9520.4%19,1670.2%
Scottish only53,5310.7%29,9430.3%
Northern Irish only19,9430.2%13,9170.2%
Any combination of UK only identities––14,4840.2%
English and British only444,1155.4%594,1496.8%
Welsh and British only7,0810.1%10,1610.1%
Scottish and British only11,3440.1%15,6650.2%
Northern Irish and British only2,5300.0%4,5040.1%
Irish only125,7331.5%99,7801.1%
Irish and at least one UK identity7,1690.1%16,9410.2%
Other identity only1,830,91222.4%1,878,83021.4%
Other identity and at least one UK identity191,7712.3%372,8984.2%
Total8,173,941100%8,799,729100%

Note: The order of options for the census question on national identity was changed between 2011 and 2021. In 2011 "English only" was the first group listed whereas in 2021 "British only" was first instead.

  • Population pyramids of identity groupings in 2021
  • English only identity
  • English and British identity
  • British only identity
  • UK and non-UK identity
  • Non-UK only identity

Housing

Owned: Total
Owned household: Total (46.8%)
TenureYear
1961 census1981 census1991 census2001 census2011 census2021 census
Households%Households%Households%Households%Households%Households%
Owned964,93436.3%1,217,52548.6%1,579,17757.2%1,704,71956.5%1,618,31549.5%1,601,04246.8%
Owned: outright––––491,232665,061689,898710,052
Owned: with a mortgage or loan––––1,087,9451,010,629886,309838,494
Shared ownership––––––29,02942,10852,496
Privately renting1,146,80742.4%415,24716.6%382,785520,907819,0851,025,53330%
Held due to employment61,433––––––––––
Lives rent free––––––––42,7806,356
Social renting484,99218.2%872,44934.8%799,16728.9%790,37126.2%785,99324.1%790,95823.1%
Total2,658,166100%2,505,221100%2,761,129100%3,015,997100%3,266,173100%3,423,889100%

Tenure by country of birth

2021 census tenure by country of birth
Country of birthOwnedPrivately rentingSocial renting
Households%Households%Households%
Europe: United Kingdom: England956,43657.1%317,37519.0%400,22223.9%
Europe: United Kingdom: Northern Ireland9,24955.5%4,48226.9%2,92717.6%
Europe: United Kingdom: Scotland25,46557.4%10,83824.4%8,08118.2%
Europe: United Kingdom: Wales16,20964.2%6,16524.4%2,87411.4%
Europe: United Kingdom: Great Britain not otherwise specified2133.3%1523.8%2742.9%
Europe: United Kingdom: United Kingdom not otherwise specified9737.7%8533.1%7529.2%
Europe: Other Europe: EU countries: Member countries in March 2001: Ireland30,74852.1%12,38021.0%15,87926.9%
Europe: Other Europe: EU countries: Member countries in March 2001: France13,08337.2%19,45155.3%2,6217.5%
Europe: Other Europe: EU countries: Member countries in March 2001: Germany11,15746.8%10,41743.6%2,2919.6%
Europe: Other Europe: EU countries: Member countries in March 2001: Italy19,35636.6%29,91256.6%3,5666.7%
Europe: Other Europe: EU countries: Member countries in March 2001: Portugal (including Madeira and the Azores)5,28221.7%12,58751.7%6,48226.6%
Europe: Other Europe: EU countries: Member countries in March 2001: Spain (including Canary Islands)7,48329.7%15,01459.6%2,67510.6%
Europe: Other Europe: EU countries: Member countries in March 2001: Other member countries in March 200115,63737.2%23,30055.5%3,0717.3%
Europe: Other Europe: EU countries: Countries that joined the EU between April 2001 and March 2011: Lithuania4,51623.5%12,31664.0%2,41612.6%
Europe: Other Europe: EU countries: Countries that joined the EU between April 2001 and March 2011: Poland16,17924.7%41,92563.9%7,47511.4%
Europe: Other Europe: EU countries: Countries that joined the EU between April 2001 and March 2011: Romania7,52413.2%47,17182.7%2,3514.1%
Europe: Other Europe: EU countries: Countries that joined the EU between April 2001 and March 2011: Other EU countries24,33432.9%40,66855.0%8,87312.0%
Europe: Other Europe: EU countries: Countries that joined the EU between April 2011 and March 2021: Croatia98237.2%1,12442.5%53620.3%
Europe: Other Europe: Rest of Europe: Turkey8,86724.6%13,90538.5%13,34637.0%
Europe: Other Europe: Rest of Europe: Other Europe22,16230.0%38,60952.2%13,14217.8%
Africa: North Africa8,08022.6%12,76235.7%14,88041.7%
Africa: Central and Western Africa: Ghana9,36625.0%9,81426.2%18,26948.8%
Africa: Central and Western Africa: Nigeria18,15028.4%19,73130.9%25,99240.7%
Africa: Central and Western Africa: Other Central and Western Africa4,84611.2%12,53529.1%25,69659.7%
Africa: South and Eastern Africa: Kenya22,66775.4%3,56411.9%3,83312.7%
Africa: South and Eastern Africa: Somalia9682.7%8,36723.4%26,37173.9%
Africa: South and Eastern Africa: South Africa12,38148.9%11,00243.5%1,9347.6%
Africa: South and Eastern Africa: Zimbabwe3,40536.6%3,24634.9%2,64528.5%
Africa: South and Eastern Africa: Other South and Eastern Africa27,49342.5%11,89318.4%25,25139.1%
Africa: Africa not otherwise specified51148.3%16615.7%38136.0%
Middle East and Asia: Middle East: Iran8,74234.7%10,82343.0%5,62622.3%
Middle East and Asia: Middle East: Iraq4,57527.8%6,61740.2%5,26132.0%
Middle East and Asia: Middle East: Other Middle East9,96830.9%16,48351.0%5,84018.1%
Middle East and Asia: Eastern Asia: China12,70050.3%10,36341.1%2,1708.6%
Middle East and Asia: Eastern Asia: Hong Kong (Special Administrative Region of China)9,59761.6%4,80230.8%1,1847.6%
Middle East and Asia: Eastern Asia: Other Eastern Asia6,05138.7%8,63455.3%9326.0%
Middle East and Asia: Southern Asia: Afghanistan3,32117.4%9,04247.4%6,72635.2%
Middle East and Asia: Southern Asia: India74,55657.0%47,24136.1%8,9646.9%
Middle East and Asia: Southern Asia: Pakistan23,15643.3%20,62538.5%9,72618.2%
Middle East and Asia: Southern Asia: Bangladesh15,99126.1%18,17129.6%27,19444.3%
Middle East and Asia: Southern Asia: Sri Lanka18,43549.3%13,81137.0%5,12513.7%
Middle East and Asia: Southern Asia: Other Southern Asia3,49348.4%3,15443.7%5778.0%
Middle East and Asia: South-East Asia: Philippines7,38131.8%10,23944.1%5,58124.1%
Middle East and Asia: South-East Asia: Malaysia6,65464.8%2,76826.9%8518.3%
Middle East and Asia: South-East Asia: Singapore2,94259.5%1,68234.0%3206.5%
Middle East and Asia: South-East Asia: Other South-East Asia6,84838.6%4,96128.0%5,93733.5%
Middle East and Asia: Central Asia81831.0%1,50056.8%32112.2%
The Americas and the Caribbean: North America: United States12,39741.1%16,27954.0%1,4644.9%
The Americas and the Caribbean: North America: Canada5,22347.3%5,29648.0%5224.7%
The Americas and the Caribbean: North America: Other North America17232.8%30958.9%448.4%
The Americas and the Caribbean: Central America: All Central American countries1,05130.1%2,14561.5%2948.4%
The Americas and the Caribbean: South America: All South American countries15,46823.7%37,04456.8%12,69319.5%
The Americas and the Caribbean: The Caribbean: Jamaica18,37636.0%7,62514.9%25,01049.0%
The Americas and the Caribbean: The Caribbean: Other Caribbean13,72442.4%5,72317.7%12,89539.9%
Antarctica and Oceania: Australasia: Australia10,40046.7%11,06149.7%7983.6%
Antarctica and Oceania: Australasia: New Zealand5,64153.6%4,36441.4%5255.0%
Antarctica and Oceania: Australasia: Other Australasia545.5%545.5%19.1%
Antarctica and Oceania: Other Oceania and Antarctica69558.4%30525.6%19016.0%
Other758.3%18.3%433.3%

Education

Level of qualification

Level of qualificationLondon (aged 16 and over, not in education)
200120112021
Number%Number%Number%
No qualifications1,257,92923.7%1,152,51717.6%1,151,25016.2%
Level 1 and entry level qualifications689,22813.0%702,68710.7%545,2697.7%
Level 2 qualifications904,20517.1%775,92811.8%707,51810.0%
Apprenticeship––107,6651.6%227,6223.2%
Level 3 qualifications518,6249.8%685,50810.5%937,87513.2%
Level 4 qualifications or above1,642,46731.0%2,470,22537.7%3,316,82946.7%
Other qualifications287,8795.4%654,64310.0%217,6223.1%
Total5,300,332100%6,549,173100%7,103,985100%

See also