The 2021 UK Census reveals distinct geographic patterns in immigrant settlement, shaped by economic opportunity, historical migration routes, community networks, and housing markets.
| Region | Immigrant Population | % of Region | Key Groups |
|---|
| London | 3.35 million | 37% | Indian, Romanian, Polish, Bangladeshi, Pakistani, Nigerian |
| South East | 1.12 million | 12% | Indian, Polish, Irish, German, South African |
| North West | 0.85 million | 11% | Pakistani, Polish, Indian, Irish, Chinese |
| West Midlands | 0.78 million | 13% | Indian, Pakistani, Polish, Romanian, Jamaican |
| East of England | 0.68 million | 10% | Polish, Romanian, Lithuanian, Indian, Portuguese |
| Yorkshire & Humber | 0.55 million | 10% | Pakistani, Polish, Indian, Romanian, Slovak |
| Scotland | 0.47 million | 9% | Polish, Indian, Pakistani, Irish, American |
| East Midlands | 0.45 million | 9% | Indian, Polish, Romanian, Pakistani, Irish |
| South West | 0.32 million | 6% | Polish, Romanian, German, South African, Chinese |
| North East | 0.15 million | 6% | Polish, Indian, Chinese, Nigerian, Pakistani |
| Wales | 0.12 million | 4% | Polish, Indian, Chinese, German, Irish |
| Northern Ireland | 0.09 million | 5% | Polish, Lithuanian, Portuguese, Indian, Chinese |
London: The Hyper-Diverse Core
- Borough variation: Brent (56%), Westminster (53%), Newham (52%) vs. Havering (14%), Bexley (15%)
- Inner vs. Outer: Inner London 42% foreign-born; Outer 33%
- Recent trends: Romanian (+300% since 2011), Italian, Spanish, Brazilian growth; Polish plateaued
Drivers of Settlement Patterns
- Economic: London/SE = professional services, finance, tech; Midlands/NW = manufacturing, logistics, healthcare
- Historical: Post-war Commonwealth (Windrush), Ugandan Asians (1972), EU enlargement (2004, 2007)
- Community networks: Chain migration—newcomers join established communities
- Housing affordability: Pushes settlement to outer boroughs, commuter towns
- Student populations: University cities (Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow, Nottingham) show spikes
Key Demographic Shifts (2011-2021)
- EU-born: +1.1M (Poland, Romania, Italy, Portugal, Spain)
- Non-EU born: +1.5M (India, Pakistan, Nigeria, Bangladesh, China)
- Post-Brexit: EU net migration turned negative 2021; non-EU surged (healthcare, students, humanitarian)
- Age profile: Immigrants younger (median 35 vs. UK 40); fewer children, fewer elderly
Integration Indicators
- English proficiency: 90%+ speak well/very well (except recent arrivals)
- Employment: 75%+ employment rate (varies by group/gender)
- Citizenship: 60%+ eligible have naturalized
- Geographic dispersal: Slowing—new groups still cluster initially
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