How have Muslim population patterns in London changed since 2001 and 2011?

1. Big picture: how many and how fast

England and Wales recorded the largest numerical increase in Muslims of any religion between 2001 and 2011—Muslim share rose nationally from about 3.0% to 4.8% and the Muslim population increased by roughly 1.1 million between the two censuses (2001 → 2011), with detailed ONS reporting noting the biggest percentage rise for Muslims among main religions ^{[1] [5] [6]}. London concentrated a large proportion of that growth: while the 2001 city figure was substantially higher than the national average (about 8.5% identified as Muslim in 2001 according to city studies), by 2011 London’s Muslim share was reported at around 12.4–12.6% and rose again to 15.0% by the 2021 census ^{[2] [1] [3]}.

2. Where people live: changing geography within London

Growth did not occur evenly across Greater London; east and north London boroughs continued to host the largest Muslim communities and saw some of the fastest local increases—places such as Tower Hamlets, Newham, Brent and parts of Hackney and Waltham Forest figure repeatedly in census analyses as high‑concentration areas—while south London remained comparatively less Muslim, though with notable communities (e.g., Peckham, Camberwell) of African origin forming clusters ^{[2] [4] [7] [8]}. Some boroughs recorded very large proportional rises between 2001 and 2011—for example Redbridge and Barking & Dagenham showed substantial percentage increases in Muslim residents, reflecting both migration and internal London movement ^[7].

3. Who the population is: age, ethnicity and drivers of growth

The Muslim population in London and nationally is younger and more fertile than the general population, a pattern visible in 2011 data that showed Muslims with the youngest age profile of main religious groups and a high share under 25—features that contribute to natural increase alongside migration ^{[5] [9]}. Ethnically the community is diverse: South Asian origins (Pakistani, Bangladeshi) remain prominent but Black African, Arab and white‑identifying Muslims are also part of the mix, with London reflecting complex migration histories from South Asia, Africa and the Middle East ^{[6] [2] [10]}.

4. Institutions, services and socio‑economic patterns

As Muslim numbers rose, so did visible institutions: London hosts a large share of the UK’s mosques and major centres (the East London Mosque and London Central Mosque are prominent examples) and by the mid‑2010s many mosques and community organisations had expanded activity to meet congregational and social needs ^[4]. Census analyses and community reports also flagged persistent socio‑economic challenges—higher rates of overcrowded housing, economic inactivity, and vulnerability to long‑term illness in Muslim populations—issues stressed by advocacy groups using 2011 data ^{[1] [9] [11]}.

5. How to read the numbers: limits, politics and narratives

Census religious affiliation is voluntary and response patterns can vary between censuses, so percentage shifts can reflect a mix of genuine demographic change, migration, fertility and differences in answering the question ^{[1] [3]}. Academic and community commentators warn against sensationalised interpretations of “explosive” growth; some media reporting has inflated projections while community organisations have used the same data to highlight deprivation and policy needs—both perspectives have implicit agendas (advocacy and alarm) that should be weighed against the raw ONS figures ^{[11] [6]}.

Conclusion: Between 2001 and 2011 London consolidated its position as the UK’s principal Muslim centre—significant numeric growth, concentrated borough patterns, a youthful and ethnically plural composition, and expanding institutional life mark the change—and by 2021 the city’s Muslim share had increased further, though interpreting exact rates requires caution due to voluntary reporting and contested narratives in public debate ^{[2] [1] [3] [11]}.