Ethnic groups in London
London, the capital of England and the United Kingdom, has become one of the most ethnically diverse and multicultural cities in the world.
Greater London had a population of 8,899,375 at the 2021 census. Around 41% of its population were born outside the UK, and over 300 languages are spoken in the region.
History and ethnic breakdown of London
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 Blair government in the late 1990s and 2000s, 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 the city, establishing it was a majority-minority city within the country. 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.Racial breakdown of London
White population of London
At the 2021 census, the total White population of London stood at 3.2 million.Whites form a majority of London's population and are evenly spread. Bromley has the highest White British population as well as highest total White, while Newham has the lowest for both. Camden has the highest White Irish population, while Bexley has the highest White Gypsy/Irish Traveller population and Haringey has the highest for Other White.
The table below shows the population by numbers in the top 20 boroughs as reported in the 2021 census.
Black population of London
At the 2021 census, the total Black population of London stood at 1.5 million This is a rise of 1.8% from the 2011 census, when the population stood at 990,000.Inner London and Outer London have a near-equal black population. The 2011 census is the first time that the black population in Outer London has overtaken that of Inner London:
| Black African Population | Black Caribbean Population | Other Black Population | Total Black Population | |
| Inner London | 291,331 | 186,256 | 95,350 | 572,937 |
| Outer London | 288,892 | 163,826 | 76,033 | 528,751 |
| London | 580,223 | 350,082 | 171,383 | 1,101,688 |
The black population of London is noticeably concentrated in South London, with the four boroughs with the highest black populations overall all south of the river, and Greenwich also featuring inside the top 10. Southwark has the highest Black African population, Croydon has the highest Black Caribbean population, and Lambeth has the highest total black population in London. In Southwark, Greenwich and Newham, the Black African population is significantly higher than Black Caribbean; conversely, Lewisham and Brent are almost balanced, and Croydon is the only borough where the Black Caribbean population nearly exceeds the Black African one.
The twenty London boroughs with the highest total Black population are listed below:
Asian population of London
At the 2011 census, the total Asian population of London stood at 1,511,546. This is a rise of 60% from the 2001 census, when the population stood at 947,425.Outer London has a greater Asian population than Inner London:
| Indian Population | Pakistani Population | Bangladeshi Population | Chinese Population | Other Asian Population | Total Asian Population | |
| Inner London | 109,933 | 59,890 | 163,838 | 65,983 | 115,549 | 515,193 |
| Outer London | 432,924 | 163,907 | 58,289 | 58,267 | 282,966 | 996,353 |
| London | 542,857 | 223,797 | 222,127 | 124,250 | 398,515 | 1,511,546 |
The Asian population of London is noticeably concentrated in East and West London. Harrow has the highest Indian population, Redbridge has the highest Pakistani population, Tower Hamlets has the highest Bangladeshi population and Barnet has the highest Chinese population. Newham has the highest total Asian population in London. The twenty London boroughs with the highest total Asian population are listed below.
Foreign-born population
At the 2011 census, 36.7% of London's population was foreign born, with 3,082,000 residents born abroad in 2014. London has the largest population number of foreign-born residents of any UK city.Significant ethnic minority communities
Afghans
There is an Afghan refugee community in London.Arabs
Significant migration from Arab countries to the UK began in the 1940s, mostly by Egyptians. Other waves followed, such as Lebanese fleeing the civil war. The centre of London has a thriving Arab community, centred around Edgware Road.Bangladeshis
A major wave of immigration began in the 1970s, as people from the Sylhet Division arrived in London, fleeing poverty and the Bangladesh Liberation War. Many settled around Spitalfields and Whitechapel, where they entered the textile trade. This trade has declined causing unemployment, but the community has moved into other businesses, including restaurants and banking. The level of immigration peaked in 1986 and has since entered a decline with the introduction of stricter immigration laws.The community remains concentrated around Whitechapel and has spread into other east London boroughs. London as a city is home to the single largest number of people of Bangladeshi origin outside of Bangladesh, with close to 200,000 individuals being of full Bangladeshi origin in 2007.
The community also annually hosts Europe's largest outdoor Asian event known as the Boishakhi Mela in Bethnal Green as part of the Bengali New Year celebrations.
Chinese
constitute the fourth largest Asian group in London ; numbering 114,800 in 2007, they are spread more or less across the entire city and have become successful in British life, especially when it comes to cuisine. The history of the Chinese in London is long and complex, with the first Chinese people arriving in the city in the 19th century as sailors.Germans
Fiona Moore, author of "The German School in London, UK: Fostering the Next Generation of National Cosmopolitans?", wrote circa 2012 that the London German community "relies on subtle network connections rather than the displaying of obvious membership traits", since London Germans attended the same churches, joined the same clubs, and sent their children to the same schools. According to Moore this aspect was likely influenced by the outcomes of World War I and World War II, resulting in encouragement for UK-based Germans "to try to blend in to a greater degree than elsewhere."As of 2012 the German business and expatriate community is centred on the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, which houses the German School London and most German expatriates residing in London. Moore wrote that the borough "does not immediately show signs of hosting a German community" due to a lack of obvious German businesses and storefronts, but that most residents know of the location of the DSL and that there are "more subtle signs of German presence."
As of 2012, German expatriates are located throughout London. As of that year, some of them do not go to the Borough of Richmond upon Thames even though the centre of the German community is located there.
Ghanaians
Besides Nigerians, Ghanaians are one of the largest Black African groups in London, with the majority living in the boroughs of Southwark, Lambeth, Newham, Hackney, Haringey, Lewisham, Merton, Waltham Forest, Croydon, Enfield and Brent.Greeks
According to the "History of London's Greek community" by Jonathan Harris, the Greek population of London numbered several thousand by 1870 AD whereas in 1850 AD it was just a few hundred. The 2001 Census recorded 12,360 Greek-born people living in London, with particular concentrations in the Hyde Park, Regent's Park, Chelsea and Kensington Census tracts.The Census tracts with the highest number of Cypriot-born people in 2001 were Palmers Green, Upper Edmonton, Cockfosters, Lower Edmonton, Tottenham North and Tottenham South. Many Greek-Cypriots reside in Wood Green, Harringay and Palmers Green, the latter harbouring the largest community of Greek-Cypriots outside Cyprus, resulting in these areas bearing local nicknames whereby the Green is replaced by Greek – as in Greek Lanes and Palmers Greek.
According to a City of London Corporation sponsored report, there are between 280,600 and 310,000 Greek speakers in Greater London.
The Greek Primary School of London and the Greek Secondary School of London both serve the community.
Indians
s have long been one of London's largest ethnic minority groups and in 2007 over 500,000 Indians were residing in London. Around 7% of London's population is of Indian origin. Indians have been in the British capital for generations and come from all walks of life. They are influential in the city's culture and are major contributors to London's workforce and economy.Harrow, Southall, Hounslow and Wembley have significant Indian populations.