Keep Factually independent
Whether you agree or disagree with our analysis, these conversations matter for democracy. We don't take money from political groups - even a $5 donation helps us keep it that way.
Fact check: What is the current Muslim population percentage in London?
Executive Summary
London’s Muslim population in the 2021 UK census is recorded as approximately 1.318 million people, about 15.0% of Greater London’s residents, which is substantially higher than the national Muslim share of roughly 6% (or 6.5% in England and Wales figures) and marks a continued rise from 2011 (12.4%) [1] [2] [3]. Contemporary reporting and demographic briefs reinforce that London both contains the largest absolute number of Muslims in the UK and features very high local concentrations in certain boroughs such as Tower Hamlets, Newham and Redbridge [2] [4] [5].
1. Why the 15% figure is the headline — census numbers that matter
The most direct measure comes from the 2021 UK census, which counts 1,318,754 (or 1,318,755 in near‑identical tabulations) Muslims in Greater London, equal to about 15.0% of the capital’s population; this is the most recent official population count referenced across sources [1] [2]. The 15% figure is supported by multiple summaries and encyclopedic compilations and is the basis for comparisons to national figures. The census also documents growth since 2011, confirming a clear upward trend that establishes London as the UK region with the highest Muslim share by proportion and absolute count [1].
2. National context — London versus the rest of the UK
Nationally, Muslims make up roughly 6% of the UK population or 6.5% of England and Wales depending on the dataset cited; this places London at more than double the national average [1] [3] [6]. Analysts point to London’s role as an immigration destination and to the relatively younger age profile of many Muslim communities as drivers of faster growth in the capital. Reports also highlight that Muslim identification among children is higher than among older cohorts, implying continued demographic momentum for urban Muslim shares [7] [6].
3. Borough-level concentrations — where London’s Muslims live
High borough concentrations drive the citywide average: Tower Hamlets (around 40%), Newham (around 35%), and Redbridge (around 31%) are repeatedly cited as boroughs with the largest Muslim shares and largest absolute Muslim populations like Tower Hamlets [8] [9] and Newham [10] [11] [3] [4] [5]. These localized concentrations underpin policy, service and political questions in those boroughs. Sources emphasize geographic dispersion overall but note that East and some Northeast London boroughs contain the densest Muslim communities [2] [4].
4. Trends over time — steady growth and a younger age profile
Census comparisons show the Muslim population in London rose from 12.4% in 2011 to about 15.0% in 2021, an increase of roughly 300,000 people in a decade [1]. Broader national datasets show Muslims in England and Wales rose from about 1.5 million in 2001 to 3.87–3.8 million in 2021, reinforcing a long‑term upward trajectory [4] [5]. Commentators draw attention to the younger skew among Muslim populations — for example, a higher share among children — which implies demographic persistence of higher shares in urban settings absent dramatic migration changes [7] [6].
5. Discrepancies and minor numerical variations — why sources differ slightly
Different public summaries produce small numeric variations (e.g., 1,318,754 vs 1,318,755) and different percentage points (6.0% national vs 6.5% England & Wales) because of rounding, differing denominators (UK vs England & Wales), and editorial condensation in secondary reports [1] [2] [3]. Older sources cite much lower figures such as 8.5% in 2001 to demonstrate long‑term trends, but these are historical rather than current [12]. Users should treat the 2021 census figures as the authoritative baseline while noting how different reports present the data.
6. How reporting agendas shape emphasis — what to watch for
Sources with distinct focuses highlight different angles: encyclopedia‑style entries stress geographic and ethnic diversity within Muslim communities, while demographic briefs emphasize national growth rates and child cohorts [2] [7]. Advocacy or interest reports may foreground “growing influence” or political implications of demographic change, which is a framing choice rather than a contradiction in raw counts [6]. Readers should distinguish between the underlying census counts and interpretive overlays that stress policy, electoral, or social consequences [1] [6].
7. Bottom line and recommended citation for quick answers
For a concise, defensible answer cite the 2021 census: about 1.318 million Muslims in Greater London, ~15.0% of the population; note that this is substantially above the national average of roughly 6–6.5% and that boroughs like Tower Hamlets, Newham and Redbridge have much higher local shares [1] [3] [5]. Use the 2021 census as the primary source for population percentage and consult borough‑level breakdowns for local planning or political analysis [2] [4].