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What are the current demographics of Muslims in the UK?
Executive summary
The core facts from the material provided show a substantial growth and youthful profile of people identifying as Muslim in Britain: England and Wales count about 3.9 million Muslims (6.5% of the population) in 2021, up markedly from 2011, and UK-wide summaries round to roughly 4 million (about 6% of the UK) by 2025 reports [1] [2]. The community is concentrated in specific urban areas and disproportionately lives in more deprived districts, while becoming increasingly UK‑born and English‑speaking [3] [4] [5].
1. A rapid rise in numbers — where the growth figures come from and what they mean
Census-based reporting shows the Muslim population in England and Wales rose from about 2.7 million in 2011 to 3.9 million in 2021, an increase of roughly 1.16 million people or about 44%, which accounted for a sizable share of population growth over that decade [1] [6]. The Muslim Council of Britain’s synthesis treats that baseline alongside Scotland’s 2022 figures to describe a UK Muslim population near 4 million or about 6% in its 2025 summaries [2] [5]. These growth figures are census-driven, so they are authoritative for 2011–2021 trends; they do not automatically capture migration, births, or internal movement after 2021—meaning the headline numbers remain accurate for that census snapshot but demand cautious extrapolation beyond the census year [1] [2].
2. Geography and urban concentration — towns and boroughs that stand out
Spatially, the Muslim population is highly clustered in urban centres, with the highest local shares recorded in Tower Hamlets (around 39.9%), Blackburn with Darwen, and Newham [1]. City-level totals list Birmingham, Bradford, London Borough of Tower Hamlets, Manchester, and Newham among the top locales by absolute Muslim population [3]. Reports emphasise that the community is more dispersed across local authority districts than other minority faith groups, yet still shows strong city-level concentrations; approximately 40% live in the most deprived fifth of local authority districts in England and Wales [3] [6]. This geographic pattern underpins distinct local policy needs on housing, education and services where Muslim populations are concentrated.
3. Age, nativity and cultural integration — a youthful, increasingly British-born community
Multiple analyses highlight a younger median age for Muslims (median ~29 years versus 44 for the overall population) and a high proportion under age 24, which analysts describe as a potential demographic dividend [4] [2]. The Muslim Council of Britain reports that about half of Muslims are UK‑born and that most British-born Muslims report a strong British identity and high English proficiency—figures like 94% reporting strong British identity and 99% able to speak English well are cited in the summaries [4] [7]. These indicators point to growing British-born generations within Muslim communities and substantial linguistic integration, even while cultural distinctiveness and religion remain important identity markers.
4. Socioeconomic picture — progress on education but persistent inequalities
The provided analyses note that educational attainment among Muslims has improved, with figures like 32.3% holding degree‑level qualifications, driven in part by increased higher-education participation among Muslim women [7]. At the same time, Muslims are disproportionately represented in deprived areas and high-unemployment localities; reports repeatedly cite roughly 39–40% living in the most deprived fifth of districts and significant rates of overcrowding and child poverty in some communities [3] [5] [4]. The contrast between rising qualifications and entrenched area-level disadvantage frames debates on social mobility and targeted policy interventions.
5. Sources, timing and potential agendas to note when using these figures
The principal numerical backbone is the 2021 England and Wales Census (published November 2022) and complementary Scotland 2022 data, with interpretive reports and summaries published by the Muslim Council of Britain in 2023–2025 [1] [3] [5] [2]. Census data are authoritative for 2011–2021 trends but are snapshots; the Muslim Council of Britain’s 2023–2025 reports add interpretation and policy framing emphasizing deprivation, identity and integration [5] [2]. Users should note that the Muslim Council is an advocacy and representative body; its summaries highlight issues of inequality and may prioritise policy-relevant framings. For post‑2021 changes, additional administrative or survey data would be required.