The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) unveils its latest briefing shedding light on the demographic and socioeconomic landscape of Muslims in England and Wales, leveraging data from the 2021 Census alongside insights from previous years.
The report launch featured guests speaker LSE Health Economist & Researcher, Miqdad Asaria and Professor of Human Geography at the University of St Andrews, Nissa Finney. Both shared reflections on the importance of key data found in the report, which highlights the persistent reality of constrained opportunities and poor social mobility for British Muslims.
With additional reflections from Sophie Gilliat-Ray, OBE FLSW professor of Religious and Theological Studies and Director for the Centre for the Study of Islam in the UK at Cardiff University, who shared that despite these challenges Muslims were among the most generous givers to charity.
Key points from the briefing include:
- Youthful Demographics*: British Muslims under the age of 16 constitute nearly double the proportion of the overall population, indicating a youthful demographic trend.
- British Identity: A majority (51%) of Muslims in England and Wales are British-born, with a significant portion (75%) identifying as British. Additionally, over 90% of Muslims are fluent in English or consider it their primary language.
- Ethnic Diversity: While the Muslim population draws predominantly from South Asian and African ethnicities, it spans across various ethnic groups, including the Roma and Traveller communities.
- Educational Attainment: There has been a notable increase in educational attainment, with 32.3% of Muslims holding degree-level qualifications in 2021, compared to 24% in 2011, largely driven by greater participation of Muslim women in higher education.
- Socioeconomic Disparities: Despite progress in education, newborns in Muslim families are disproportionately born into deprived areas, with limited prospects for social mobility, particularly evident in higher echelon occupations.
- Urban Concentration: The Muslim population remains concentrated in deprived urban areas, warranting increased attention and inclusion in the government’s future leveling up strategies.
In light of these insights, Zara Mohammed, Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain, remarked,
“The findings of the 2021 Census reaffirm the urgent need for concerted action to address entrenched inequalities faced by British Muslims in the last two decades.
It is imperative that policy makers and our government do better to ensure we do not fail the next generation of young British Muslims as they seek to find better routes and access to opportunity in a climate of much political and economic difficulty.
The MCB remains dedicated in our work to promote social cohesion and advancing the well-being of British society. We hope this report will support many in evidencing much needed change.”
[ENDS]
For the full report: https://mcb.org.uk/resources/2021-census-striving-for-fairness/