Demography of London

Demographics of London
PopulationIncrease 8,799,800 (2021)
DensityIncrease 5,854/km2 (15,160/sq mi) (2020 estimates)
Growth rateIncrease 7.7% (2011 - 2021)
Life expectancy
 • maleDecrease 80.3 (2018-2020)
 • femaleSteady 84.3 (2018-2020)
Fertility rateDecrease 1.52 (2021)
Infant mortality rateNeutral decrease 3.4 live deaths/1,000 live births (2018-2020)
Nationality
NationalityBritish
Major ethnicDecrease White: 53.8% (2021)
Decrease White British: 36.8% (2021)
Minor ethnic
Increase Asian British: 20.8% (2021)
Increase Black British: 13.5% (2021)
Increase Mixed: 5.7% (2021)
Increase Other: 6.3% (2021)
Language
SpokenBritish English (main language: 78.4%)

The demography of London is analysed by the Office for National Statistics and data is produced for each of the Greater London wards, the City of London and the 32 London boroughs, the Inner London and Outer London statistical sub-regions, each of the Parliamentary constituencies in London, and for all of Greater London as a whole. Additionally, data is produced for the Greater London Urban Area. Statistical information is produced about the size and geographical breakdown of the population, the number of people entering and leaving country and the number of people in each demographic subgroup. The total population of London as of 2021 is 8,799,800.

History

Creation of Greater London - 1965

Through the London Government Act of 1963, the Greater London region was established officially in 1965.

Migration boom - 1997 to today

From 1997 onwards, London has experienced a drastic change in the composition of the city's population, which has off set the decline of the population which had been occurring. In 1991, 21.7% of the city was foreign born but by 2011 this had risen to 36.7%.

In 2011, a historic tipping point occurred with the release of the 2011 census indicating that the White British population, which had before been the majority, was now no longer a majority of the city's population, although it remained by far the largest single ethnic group.

Population

Population growth percentage in London between 2011 and 2021
Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
18011,011,157—    
18111,197,673+1.71%
18211,450,122+1.93%
18311,729,949+1.78%
18411,917,013+1.03%
18512,286,609+1.78%
18613,094,391+3.07%
18713,902,178+2.35%
18814,709,960+1.90%
18915,565,856+1.68%
19016,226,494+1.13%
19117,157,875+1.40%
19217,553,526+0.54%
19318,098,942+0.70%
19417,987,936−0.14%
19518,164,416+0.22%
19617,781,342−0.48%
19717,449,184−0.44%
19816,608,513−1.19%
19916,887,280+0.41%
20017,172,036+0.41%
20118,173,941+1.32%
20218,799,800+0.74%

The historical population for the current area of Greater London, divided into the statistical areas of Inner and Outer London is as follows:

London population over time
Year Inner London Outer London Greater London
1801 879,491 131,666 1,011,157
1811 1,040,033 157,640 1,197,673
1821 1,263,975 186,147 1,450,122
1831 1,515,557 214,392 1,729,949
1841 1,661,346 255,667 1,917,013
1851 1,995,846 290,763 2,286,609
1861 2,634,143 460,248 3,094,391
1871 3,272,441 629,737 3,902,178
1881 3,910,735 799,225 4,709,960
1891 4,422,340 1,143,516 5,565,856
1901 4,670,177 1,556,317 6,226,494
1911 4,997,741 2,160,134 7,157,875
1921 4,936,803 2,616,723 7,553,526
1931 4,887,932 3,211,010 8,098,942
1941 4,224,135 3,763,801 7,987,936
1951 3,680,821 4,483,595 8,164,416
1961 3,336,557 4,444,785 7,781,342
1971 3,030,490 4,418,694 7,449,184
1981 2,425,534 4,182,979 6,608,513
1991 2,625,245 4,262,035 6,887,280
2001 2,765,975 4,406,061 7,172,036
2011 3,231,900 4,942,100 8,173,900
2021 3,404,300 5,395,500 8,799,800

Age

London population pyramid from 1991 to 2021

Fertility

Fertility rate of each London borough in 2021

In 2021, a total of 110,961 live births occurred within the city. The fertility rate of London in 2021 was 1.52, which is below replacement.

Population density

Population density in the 2011 census in Greater London.

The population density of London was 5,727 per km2 in 2011.

Urban and metropolitan area

At the 2001 census, the population of the Greater London Urban Area was 8,278,251. This area does not include some outliers within Greater London, but does extend into the adjacent South East England and East of England regions. In 2004 the London Plan of the Mayor of London defined a metropolitan region with a population of 18 million. Eurostat has developed a harmonising standard for comparing metropolitan areas in the European Union and the population of the London Larger Urban Zone is 11,917,000; it occupies an area of 8,920 square kilometres (3,440 sq mi). Another definition gives the population of the metropolitan area as 13,709,000.

Ethnicity

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 1990s, 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.

Ethnicity overall

London ethnic demographics over time
Ethnic makeup of London in single year age groups in 2021
Ethnic makeup of London over time in age groups

The following table shows the ethnic group of respondents from estimates in 1971 and in the 1991 – 2021 censuses in Greater London.

Ethnic make-up of Greater London
Ethnic Group Year
1961 estimations 1971 estimations 1981 estimations 1991 2001 2011 2021
Number % Number % Number % Number % Number % Number % Number %
White: Total 7,602,233 97.7% 6,901,596 92.6% 5,663,496 85.7% 5,333,580 79.80% 5,103,203 71.15% 4,887,435 59.79% 4,731,172 53.8%
White: British 6,500,000 87% 4,287,861 59.79% 3,669,284 44.89% 3,239,281 36.8%
White: Irish 401,596 5.4% 256,470 3.83% 220,488 3.07% 175,974 2.15% 156, 333 1.8%
White: Gypsy or Irish Traveller 8,196 0.10% 7031 0.1%
White: Roma 37,689 0.4%
White: Other 594,854 8.29% 1,033,981 12.65% 1,290,838 14.7%
Asian or Asian British: Total 690,031 10.33% 946,894 13.20% 1,511,546 18.49% 1,817,640 20.8%
Asian or Asian British: Indian 347,091 5.19% 436,993 6.09% 542,857 6.64% 656,272 7.5%
Asian or Asian British: Pakistani 87,816 1.31% 142,749 1.99% 223,797 2.74% 290,549 3.3%
Asian or Asian British: Bangladeshi 85,738 1.28% 153,893 2.15% 222,127 2.72% 322,054 3.7%
Asian or Asian British: Chinese 56,579 0.84% 80,201 1.12% 124,250 1.52% 147,520 1.7%
Asian or Asian British: Other Asian 112,807 1.68% 133,058 1.86% 398,515 4.88% 401,245 4.6%
Black or Black British: Total 535,216 8.01% 782,849 10.92% 1,088,640 13.32% 1,188,370 13.5%
Black or Black British: African 163,635 2.44% 378,933 5.28% 573,931 7.02% 697,054 7.9%
Black or Black British: Caribbean 290,968 4.35% 343,567 4.79% 344,597 4.22% 345,405 3.9%
Black or Black British: Other Black 80,613 1.20% 60,349 0.84% 170,112 2.08% 145,911 1.7%
Mixed or British Mixed: Total 226,111 3.15% 405,279 4.96% 505,775 5.7%
Mixed: White and Black Caribbean 70,928 0.99% 119,425 1.46% 132,555 1.5%
Mixed: White and Black African 34,182 0.48% 65,479 0.80% 77,341 0.9%
Mixed: White and Asian 59,944 0.84% 101,500 1.24% 125,188 1.4%
Mixed: Other Mixed 61,057 0.85% 118,875 1.45% 170,691 1.9%
Other: Total 120,872 1.81% 113,034 1.58% 281,041 3.44% 556,768 6.3%
Other: Arab 106,020 1.30% 139,791 1.6%
Other: Any other ethnic group 113,034 1.58% 175,021 2.14% 416,977 4.7%
Non-White: Total 179,109 2.3% 547,588 7.4% 945,017 14.3% 1,346,119 20.2% 2,068,888 28.85% 3,286,506 40.2% 4,068,553 46.2%
Total 7,781,342 100% 7,449,184 100% 6,608,513 100% 6,679,699 100.00% 7,172,091 100.00% 8,173,941 100.00% 8,799,725 100%
  1. ^ a b c New category created for the 2001 census
  2. ^ a b New category created for the 2011 census
  3. ^ In 2001, listed under the 'Other ethnic group' heading.
Population pyramid of London by ethnicity in 2021

Ethnicity of school pupils

Ethnicity of school pupils within London
Ethnic group School year
2004 2008 2012 2015/16 2017/18 2019/20 2021/2022
Number % Number % Number % Number % Number % Number % Number %
White: Total 467,230 51.4% 431,040 46.7% 416,490 42.8% 443,621 41.1% 522,187 40.4% 520,767 39.8% 506,271 38.7%
White: British 389,350 42.9% 339,610 36.8% 305,805 31.4% 295,572 27.4% 333,497 25.8% 324,358 24.8% 312,522 23.9%
White: Irish 10,610 1.2% 8,610 0.9% 7,610 0.8% 6,939 0.6% 7,322 0.6% 6,759 0.5% 6,268 0.5%
White: Traveller of Irish heritage 1,090 0.1% 920 0.1! 1,000 0.1% 1,031 0.1% 1,183 0.1% 1,205 0.1% 1,182 0.9%
White: Gypsy/Roma 780 0.09%% 950 0.1% 1,505 0.2% 1,643 0.2% 2,074 0.2% 2,359 0.2% 2,358 0.2%
White: Other 65,410 7.2% 80,950 8.8% 100,570 10.3% 138,436 12.8% 178,111 13.8% 186,086 14.2% 183,941 14.0%
Asian / Asian British: Total 159,370 17.5% 174,380 18.9% 198,280 20.4% 228,767 21.2% 283,443 22% 296,324 22.6% 305,069 23.2%
Asian / Asian British: Indian 57,990 6.4% 54,570 5.9% 54,490 5.6% 62,065 5.7% 78,700 6.1% 85,521 6.5% 89,639 6.8%
Asian / Asian British: Pakistani 31,220 3.4% 34,680 3.8% 41,235 4.2% 47,931 4.4% 59,047 4.6% 60,415 4.6% 60,707 4.6%
Asian / Asian British: Bangladeshi 38,880 4.2% 44,100 4.8% 51,300 5.3% 59,691 5.5% 73,994 5.7% 77,408 5.9% 79,954 6.1%
Asian / Asian British: Chinese 7,220 0.8% 6,970 0.8% 6,920 0.7% 7,883 0.7% 10,116 0.8% 10,475 0.8% 12,267 0.9%
Asian / Asian British: Other Asians 24,060 2.6% 34,060 3.7% 44,335 4.6% 51,197 4.7% 61,586 4.8% 62,505 4.8% 62,502 4.8%
Black / Black British: Total 170,780 18.8% 188,750 20.5% 208,375 21.4% 226,215 20.9% 254,081 19.7% 244,988 18.7% 234,822 17.9%
Black: Caribbean 63,020 6.9% 59,750 6.5% 57,980 5.9% 55,414 5.1% 57,862 4.5% 53,733 4.1% 50,178 3.8%
Black: African 91,020 10% 110,090 11.92% 128,295 13.1% 145,447 13.5% 167,058 12.9% 162,680 12.4% 156,883 12.0%
Black: Other Blacks 16,740 1.8% 18,930 2.1% 22,100 2.3% 25,354 2.3% 29,161 2.3% 28,575 2.2% 27,761 2.1%
Mixed / British Mixed 57,720 6.4% 70,330 7.6% 84,615 8.7% 104,470 9.7% 134,226 10.4% 142,135 10.8% 150,285 11.3%
Other: Total 34,750 3.8% 44,290 4.8% 52,640 5.4% 60,865 5.6% 74,589 5.7% 77,413 5.9% 82,516 6.3%
Unclassified 18,760 2.1% 6,750 0.7% 13,470 1.4% 16,194 1.5% 22,232 1.7% 27,935 2.1% 30,359 2.3%
Total: 908,600 100% 922,890 100% 973,875 100% 1,080,132 100% 1,290,758 100% 1,309,562 100% 1,309,322 100%

Ethnicity of births

Ethnic Group Year
1981 estimates 2007 2010 2015 2019 2021
Number % Number % Number % Number % Number % Number %
White: Total 80% 58,024 46.4% 65,117 49.5% 61,716 47.8% 57,405 48.7% 53,141 48%
White: British 25,827 23.3%
White: Other 27,314 24.7%
Asian / Asian British: Total 21,701 17.3% 24,445 18.5% 26,957 20.9% 24,616 20.9% 24,426 22.1%
Asian / Asian British: Indian 8,259 7.5%
Asian / Asian British: Pakistani 4,341 3.9%
Asian / Asian British: Bangladeshi 5,458 4.9%
Asian / Asian British: Other Asians 6,368 5.8%
Black / Black British: Total 22,036 17.6% 22,293 16.9% 18,526 14.3% 15,319 13% 13,476 12.2%
Black: Caribbean 2,893 2.6%
Black: African 8,697 7.9%
Black: Other Blacks 1,886 1.7%
Mixed / British Mixed 7,967 6.3% 9,424 7.1% 11,979 9.3% 12,041 10.2% 12,502 11.3%
Other: Total 6,337 5% 5,831 4.4% 6,770 5.2% 6,494 5.5% 5,367 4.8%
Not Stated 9,055 7.2% 4,391 3.3% 3,170 2.4% 1,880 1.5% 1,787 1.6%
Non-White: Total (not including Not stated) 20% 58,041 46.2% 61,993 46.9% 64,232 49.7% 58,470 49.6% 55,771 50.4%
Total: 100% 125,120 100% 131,501 100% 129,118 100% 117,755 100% 110,699 100%

Ethnicity in boroughs

This table shows the proportion of different multi-ethnic groups by London borough, as found in the 2021 census.

Broad multi-ethnic group make-up of London boroughs (2021)
Local authority White Mixed Asian Black Other
Barnet 57.7 5.4 19.3 7.9 9.8
Barking and Dagenham 44.9 4.3 25.9 21.4 3.6
Bexley 71.9 3.5 9.9 12.2 2.5
Brent 34.6 5.1 32.8 17.5 10
Bromley 76.5 5.4 8.3 7.6 2.3
Camden 59.5 6.6 18.1 9.0 6.8
City of London 69.4 5.5 16.8 2.7 5.6
Croydon 48.4 7.6 17.5 22.6 3.9
Ealing 43.2 5.2 30.3 10.8 10.6
Enfield 52.1 5.9 11.5 18.3 12.1
Greenwich 55.7 6.0 13.2 21 4.2
Hackney 53.1 6.7 10.4 21.1 8.7
Haringey 57 7 8.7 17.6 9.7
Harrow 36.5 3.8 45.2 7.3 7.2
Havering 75.3 3.7 10.7 8.2 2
Hammersmith and Fulham 63.2 6.7 10.5 12.3 7.3
Hillingdon 48.2 4.4 33.3 7.8 6.3
Hounslow 44.1 4.7 36.7 7.2 7.3
Islington 62.2 7.5 9.9 13.3 7.1
Kensington and Chelsea 63.7 6.6 11.9 7.9 9.9
Kingston upon Thames 68.3 5.4 17.8 2.8 5.7
Lambeth 55 8.1 7.3 24 5.7
Lewisham 51.5 8.1 9 26.8 4.7
Merton 60.2 5.9 18.6 10.6 4.6
Newham 30.8 4.7 42.2 17.5 4.9
Redbridge 34.8 4.1 47.3 8.4 5.4
Richmond upon Thames 80.5 5.5 8.9 1.9 3.3
Southwark 51.4 7.2 9.9 25.1 6.3
Sutton 68.3 4.8 17.5 5.9 3.4
Tower Hamlets 39.4 5 44.4 7.3 3.9
Waltham Forest 52.8 6.5 19.9 15 5.8
Wandsworth 67.8 6.3 11.7 10.1 4.1
Westminster 55.2 6.5 16.8 8.1 13.5

Country of birth

Foreign born within London over time from 1851 to 2021
Foreign born in London by age over time
UK born and foreign born population pyramid in London in 2021. Males and females representing the UK born population while foreign males and females representing the foreign born population.
Foreign born and UK born percentage of age groups in London

The 2021 census recorded that 3,575,740 people or 40.7% of London's population are foreign-born (including 27.9% born in a non-European country).

Country of Birth Year
1971 1981 1991 2001 2011 2021
Number % Number % Number % Number % Number % Number %
Europe 6,568,348 90.76% 5,787,624 87.57% 5,639,192 84.4% 5,741,636 80% 6,174,371 75.5% 6,346,649 72.1%
United Kingdom 6,133,105 84.74% 5,405,576 81.79% 5,228,658 78.3% 5,231,701 72.9% 5,175,677 63.3% 5,223,986 59.3%
Republic of Ireland 236,396 3.26% 199,460 3.01% 214,033 157,556 129,807
European Community or Other Europe 198,847 2.74% 182,588 2.76% 196,501 352,379 865,681 1,122,663 12.8%
Asia 161,777 2.23% 234,599 3.54% 435,819 6.5% 634,917 8.9% 966,990 11.8% 1,146,247 13%
India 104,001 1.43% 139,140 2.10% 151,619 262,247
Pakistan 29,395 0.40% 35,616 0.53% 44,741 112,457
Bangladesh 22,102 0.33% 56,657 109,948
Other Asia 28,381 0.39% 37,741 0.57%
Old Commonwealth 38,738 0.53% 37,064 0.56% 53,320
Africa 74,660 1.03% 144,072 2.18% 246,025 454,536 621,613 625,071 7.1%
America/Caribbean (also classed under New Commmonwealth) 165,369 2.28% 167,399 2.53% 51,222 249,191 326,280 367,664 4.2%
Antarctica and Oceania (including Australasia) and Other 70,632 84,661 64,228 0.7%
British Overseas 5,994
Other: Total 227,829 3.14% 237,840 3.59% 1,119 21,179 26
Total 7,236,721 100.00% 6,608,598 100.00% 6,679,699 100% 7,172,091 100% 8,173,941 100% 8,799,726 100%
Region of birth of mother 2001 2006 2011 2016 2021
Number % Number % Number % Number % Number %
United Kingdom 59,104 56.7% 57,376 47.5% 57,450 43.2% 53,866 41.8% 47,958 43.2%
Foreign born 45,058 43.3% 63,522 52.5% 75,383 56.7% 74,923 58.2% 62,986 56.8%
EU 6,977 6.7% 11,309 9.4% 18,402 13.8% 22,573 17.5% 18,365 16.5%
Rest of Europe 3,380 3.2% 4,090 3.4% 4,160 3.1% 5,382 4.2% 5,933 5.3%
Middle East and Asia 13,489 13% 18,206 15% 25,478 19.2% 24,235 18.8% 21,394 19.2%
Africa 13,600 13.1% 20,043 16.6% 19,866 15% 15,600 12.1% 10,725 9.7%
Rest of the world 7,612 7.3% 9,874 8.2% 7,477 5.6% 7,133 5.5% 6,569 5.9%
Total 104,162 100% 120,898 100% 132,843 100% 128,803 100% 110,961 100%

Languages

Percentage of the population whose main language is English in London in 2021

According to the 2011 Census, 6,083,420 or 77.9% of London's population aged 3 and over spoke English as a main language, with a further 1,406,912 (19.8%) speaking it as a second language or well to very well. 271,693 (3.5%) could not speak English well, while 47,917 (0.6%) could not speak English at all. 2,456 (<0.1%) spoke other UK minority languages, with the most common being Welsh and 2,926 (<0.1%) used British Sign Language. This shows also great challenges for TfL and other government services, for example most ticket vending machines use only English, French and up to 2 other western Europe hemisphere languages, while as shown below most demand is for Indian languages, Polish, etc.

The most common main languages spoken in Greater London according to the 2011 and 2021 censuses are shown below.

Main language

Languages spoken in London by usual residents aged 3+
2011 2021
Language Number Percentage Number Percentage
English 6,083,420 77.90% 6,650,973 78.40%
Polish 147,816 1.90% 112,068 1.30%
Bengali 114,267 1.50% 101,975 1.20%
Gujarati 101,676 1.30% 82,610 1.00%
French 84,191 1.10% 67,049 0.80%
Urdu 78,667 1.00% 63,626 0.80%
Portuguese 71,525 0.90% 94,205 1.10%
Turkish 71,242 0.90% 69,641 0.80%
Spanish 71,192 0.90% 117,457 1.40%
Arabic 70,602 0.90% 72,102 0.80%
Tamil 70,565 0.90% 70,673 0.80%
Punjabi 68,525 0.90% 74,205 0.90%
Malayalam 685,20 0.90% 74,205 0.90%
Somali 54,852 0.70% 37,346 0.40%
Italian 49,484 0.60% 81,293 1.00%
Romanian 39,653 0.50% 159,338 1.90%
Persian 39,645 0.50% 39,233 0.50%
Lithuanian 35,341 0.50% 30,768 0.40%
German 31,306 0.40% 19,074 0.20%
Greek 26,924 0.30% 36,015 0.40%
Russian 26,603 0.30% 31,906 0.40%
Other 441,968 5.66%

Proficiency in English

Language proficiency London (aged 3 and over)
2011 2021
Number % Number %
Main language is English 6,083,420 77.9% 6,650,973 78.4%
Main language is not English 1,726,522 22.1% 1,831,690 21.6%
Can speak English very well 763,502 9.8% 840,463 9.9%
Can speak English well 643,410 8.2% 636,226 7.5%
Cannot speak English well 271,693 3.5% 303,265 3.6%
Cannot speak English 47,917 0.6% 51,736 0.6%
Total 7,809,942 100% 8,482,663 100%

Religion

Religious makeup of London in single year age groups in 2021

London's religious landscape over the past two decades has undergone significant change. In 2001, Christians constituted the majority at 58.23%, but by 2021, this percentage had declined to 40.66%. Meanwhile, the population identifying with no religion saw a significant increase, rising from 15.76% in 2001 to 27.05% in 2021. This shift suggests a growing trend of secularization in the city.[citation needed]

The Muslim population also experienced notable growth, increasing from 8.46% in 2001 to 14.99% in 2021. The number of individuals who chose not to state their religion slightly fluctuated during these years, from 8.66% in 2001 to 7.00% in 2021.

Hinduism saw steady growth, constituting 4.07% of the population in 2001 and rising to 5.15% in 2021. The Jewish community remained relatively stable but saw a slight decline from 2.09% to 1.65% over the same period. Sikhism also experienced growth, albeit modest, from 1.45% in 2001 to 1.64% in 2021. Other religions, including Buddhism, collectively accounted for small but fluctuating percentages, with Buddhism specifically ranging from 0.76% in 2001 to 0.88% in 2021.

These changes are influenced by various factors, including immigration, generational attitudes, and broader social trends.[citation needed]

Religious affiliation of Londoners
Religion 2001 2011 2021
Number % Number % Number %
Christian 4,176,175 58.23% 3,957,984 48.42% 3,577,681 40.66%
No religion 1,130,616 15.76% 1,694,372 20.73% 2,380,404 27.05%
Muslim 607,083 8.46% 1,012,823 12.39% 1,318,754 14.99%
Religion not stated 621,366 8.66% 692,739 8.47% 615,662 7.00%
Hindu 291,977 4.07% 411,291 5.03% 453,034 5.15%
Jewish 149,789 2.09% 148,602 1.82% 145,466 1.65%
Sikh 104,230 1.45% 126,134 1.54% 144,543 1.64%
Other religion 36,558 0.51% 47,970 0.59% 86,759 0.99%
Buddhist 54,297 0.76% 82,026 1.00% 77,425 0.88%
Total 7,172,091 100.00% 8,173,941 100.00% 8,799,728 100.00%
Population pyramid of London by religion in 2021

Social issues

Marriage and divorce

In 2019, a total of 29,139 marriages occurred within London.

Abortion

In 2020, 27.7% of conceptions were aborted in the city.

Sexual orientation and gender identity

Sexual orientation London (aged 16 and over)
2021
Number %
Straight or Heterosexual 6,123,195 86.2%
Gay or Lesbian 158,760 2.2%
Bisexual 108,140 1.5%
All other sexual orientations 37,482 0.5%
Not answered 676,408 9.5%
Total 7,103,985 100%
Gender identity London (aged 16 and over)
2021
Number %
Gender identity the same as sex registered at birth 6,479,664 91.2
Gender identity different from sex registered at birth but no specific identity given 32,753 0.5%
Trans woman 11,266 0.2%
Trans man 11,480 0.2%
All other gender identities 8,862 0.1%
Not answered 559,960 7.9%
Total 7,103,985 100%

Health

In 2021, the suicide rate in total was 6.6 for every 100,000 people. For males this was 9.9 and for females this was 3.4.

General health

General health (self-identified) 2001 2011 2021
Number % Number % Number %
Very good health 5,078,978 70.8% 4,127,788 50.5% 4,712,358 53.6%
Good health 2,725,645 33.3% 2,802,395 31.8%
Fair health 1,499,198 20.9% 915,035 11.2% 908,941 10.3%
Bad health 593,915 8.3% 305,343 3.7% 283,864 3.2%
Very bad health 100,130 1.2% 92,170 1.0%
Total 7,172,091 100% 8,173,941 100% 8,799,728 100%

Disability

Disability status London
1991 (long term illness) 2001 (limiting long term illness) 2011 2021
Number % Number % Number % Number %
Disabled (under the Equality Act) 742,870 10.7% 1,111,284 15.5% 1,157,16 14.1% 1,164,456 13.2%
Disabled under the Equality Act: Day-to-day activities limited a little 605,501 7.4% 658,547 7.5%
Disabled under the Equality Act: Day-to-day activities limited a lot 551,664 6.7% 505,909 5.7%
Not disabled (under the Equality Act) 7,016,776 85.8% 7,635,272 86.8%
Not disabled under the Equality Act: No long term physical or mental health conditions 7,016,776 85.8% 7,175,718 81.5%
Not disabled under the Equality Act: Has long term physical or mental health condition but day-to-day activities are not limited 459,554 5.2%
Total 6,887,280 100% 7,172,091 100% 8,173,941 100% 8,799,728 100%

Income and industry

The vast majority of people within London work in the service sector.

Industry

London's industry over time
Industry sector London (aged 16 and over in employment)
1961 (10% sample) 1981 (10% sample) 1991 (10% sample) 2001 2011 2021
Number % Number % Number % Number % Number % Number %
A: Agriculture, Forestry and fishing 772 0.2% 445 613 11,033 0.3% 2,363 0.1% 2,827 0.1%
B: Mining and quarrying 296 2,961 1% 4,487 0.1% 5,606 0.1% 4,957 0.1%
C: Manufacturing 156,035 (Production) 41.5% 58,649 19.1% 29,889 10.5% 253,358 7.6% 128,905 3.2% 131,674 3.0%
D: Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply 5,181 1.7% 3,195 1.1% 11,035 0.3% 10,358 0.3% 15,040 0.3%
E: Water supply; Sewerage, Waste management and Remediation activities 14,207 0.4% 12,732 0.3%
F: Construction 20,347 6.6% 18,395 6.5% 174,731 5.3% 262,356 6.6% 340,992 7.8%
G: Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles 478,374 14.4% 522,204 13.1% 531,842 12.2%
H: Transport and storage 29,760 9.7% 25,056 8.9% 270,358 8.1% 200,336 205,733 4.7%
J: Information and communication 276,355 6.9% 332,394 7.6%
I: Accommodation and food service activities (Distribution or catering; 1981 + 1991) 213,766 (Services) 56.9% 58,778 19.2% 54,123 19.1% 153,357 4.6% 251,574 237,887 5.5%
K: Financial and insurance activities 57,672 20.4% 937,377 28.3% 306,443 288,113 6.6%
L: Real estate activities 79,520 92,403 2.1%
M: Professional, scientific and technical activities 434,405 456,965 10.5%
N: Administrative and support service activities 234,191 262,952 6.0%
P: Education 247,767 7.5% 384,156 418,765 9.6%
Q: Human health and social work activities 334,783 10.1% 428,586 563,238 12.9%
O: Public administration and defence; compulsory social security 4,795 1.3% 178,261 5.4% 201,545 209,607 4.8%
R, S, T, U: Other and not stated 131,194 42.6% 90,740 32.1% 264,213 8.0% 255,787 251,958 5.8%
Total 375,664 100% 307,857 100% 282,644 100% 3,319,134 100% 3,998,897 100% 4,360,079 100%

Method of transportation to work

Method of transportation London (aged 16 and over in employment)
1981 (10% sample) 1991 (10% sample) 2001 2011 2021
Number % Number % Number % Number % Number %
Work mainly at or from home 9,593 3.1% 12,433 4.4% 285,935 7.5% 202,679 5.1% 1,836,823 42.1%
Underground, metro, light rail, tram 39,035 12.7% 642,476 16.9% 902,263 22.6% 431,842 9.9%
Train 32,638 10.6% 74,262 26.3% 661,166 17.4% 532,720 13.3% 231,074 5.3%
Bus, minibus or coach 51,409 16.7% 32,131 11.4% 376,926 9.9% 561,605 14.0% 386,068 8.9%
Taxi 21,962 0.6% 20,314 0.5% 22,544 0.5%
Motorcycle, scooter or moped 6,481 2.1% 3,239 1.1% 55,752 1.5% 45,976 1.1% 30,404 0.7%
Driving a car or van 90,522 29.4% 108,546 38.4% 1,294,081 34.0% 1,120,826 28.0% 897,111 20.6%
Passenger in a car or van 22,903 7.4% 10,068 3.6% 92,819 2.4% 69,659 1.7% 63,883 1.5%
Bicycle 7,308 2.4% 5,783 2.0% 78,804 2.1% 161,705 4.0% 128,833 3.0%
On foot 40,563 13.2% 27,523 9.7% 281,338 7.4% 352,612 8.8% 279,453 6.4%
Other method of travel to work (or Not stated) 7,405 2.4% 8,659 3.1% 14,396 0.4% 28,538 0.7% 52,040 1.2%
Total 307,857 100% 282,644 100% 3,805,655 100% 3,998,897 100% 4,360,075 100%

Hours worked weekly

Hours worked weekly London (aged 16 and over in employment)
1991 (10% sample) 2001 2011 2021
Number % Number % Number % Number %
Full-time 224,494 79.4% 2,651,793 79.9% 2,973,844 74.4% 3,137,424 72%
Full-time: 31 to 48 hours worked 224,494 79.4% 2,063,598 62.2% 2,338,716 58.4% 2,555,494 58.6%
Full-time: 49 or more hours worked 588,195 17.7% 635,128 15.9% 581,930 13.3%
Part-time 46,319 16.4% 667,341 20.1% 1,025,053 25.6% 1,222,653 28%
Part-time: 15 hours or less worked 15,812 5.6% 224,349 6.8% 346,106 8.7% 464,497 10.7%
Part-time: 16 to 30 hours worked 30,507 10.8% 442,992 13.3% 678,947 17% 758,156 17.3%
Not stated 11,831 4.1%
Total 282,644 100% 3,319,134 100% 3,998,897 100% 4,360,077 100%

Distance to travel to work

Distance to travel to work 2001 2011 2021
Number % Number % Number %
Less than 2km 475,102 14.3% 474,585 11.9% 331,191 7.6%
2km to less than 5km 659,230 19.9% 715,936 17.9% 484,894 11.1%
5km to less than 10km 803,143 24.2% 926,646 23.2% 533,671 12.2%
10km to less than 20km 686,960 20.7% 795,833 19.9% 409,530 9.4%
20km to less than 30km 128,560 3.9% 154,589 3.9% 79,897 1.8%
30km to less than 40km 32,812 1.0% 38,310 1.0% 23,145 0.5%
40km to less than 60km 25,001 0.8% 28,294 0.7% 15,808 0.4%
60km and over 36,282 1.1% 52,083 1.3% 29,917 0.7%
Works mainly from home 285,935 8.6% 380,665 9.5% 1,836,823 42.1%
Works mainly at an offshore installation, in no fixed place, or outside the UK 186,109 5.6% 615,201 14.1%
Other 431,956 10.8%
Total 3,319,134 100% 3,998,897 100% 4,360,077 100%

National identity

National identity makeup of London by single year ages in 2021
National identity 2011 2021
Number % Number %
British only 2,526,808 30.9% 5,011,396 56.9%
English only 3,035,090 37.1% 717,894 8.2%
Welsh only 31,952 0.4% 19,167 0.2%
Scottish only 53,531 0.7% 29,943 0.3%
Northern Irish only 19,943 0.2% 13,917 0.2%
Any combination of UK only identities 14,484 0.2%
English and British only 444,115 5.4% 594,149 6.8%
Welsh and British only 7,081 0.1% 10,161 0.1%
Scottish and British only 11,344 0.1% 15,665 0.2%
Northern Irish and British only 2,530 0.0% 4,504 0.1%
Irish only 125,733 1.5% 99,780 1.1%
Irish and at least one UK identity 7,169 0.1% 16,941 0.2%
Other identity only 1,830,912 22.4% 1,878,830 21.4%
Other identity and at least one UK identity 191,771 2.3% 372,898 4.2%
Total 8,173,941 100% 8,799,729 100%

Note: The order of options for the census question on national identity was changed between 2011 and 2021. In 2011 "English only" was the first group listed whereas in 2021 "British only" was first instead.

Housing

Tenure 1981 1991 2001 2011 2021
Number % Number % Number % Number % Number %
Owned 1,217,525 1,579,177 1,704,719 1,618,315 1,601,042
Owned: outright 491,232 665,061 689,898 710,052
Owned: with a mortgage or loan 1,087,945 1,010,629 886,309 838,494
Shared ownership 29,029 42,108 52,496
Privately renting 415,247 382,785 520,907 819,085 1,025,533
Lives rent free 42,780 6,356
Social renting 872,449 799,167 790,371 785,993 790,958
Total 2,505,221 100% 2,761,129 100% 3,015,997 100% 3,266,173 100% 3,423,889 100%

Education

Level of qualification

Level of qualification London (aged 16 and over, not in education)
2001 2011 2021
Number % Number % Number %
No qualifications 1,257,929 23.7% 1,152,517 17.6% 1,151,250 16.2%
Level 1 and entry level qualifications 689,228 13.0% 702,687 10.7% 545,269 7.7%
Level 2 qualifications 904,205 17.1% 775,928 11.8% 707,518 10.0%
Apprenticeship 107,665 1.6% 227,622 3.2%
Level 3 qualifications 518,624 9.8% 685,508 10.5% 937,875 13.2%
Level 4 qualifications or above 1,642,467 31.0% 2,470,225 37.7% 3,316,829 46.7%
Other qualifications 287,879 5.4% 654,643 10.0% 217,622 3.1%
Total 5,300,332 100% 6,549,173 100% 7,103,985 100%

See also


This page was last updated at 2023-12-27 19:43 UTC. Update now. View original page.

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