Report Overview
The religious landscape of the United Kingdom has undergone a profound transformation over the last three decades. Once a predominantly Christian nation, the UK is now a far more diverse and multicultural society. This interactive report provides a detailed, data-driven account of this change, focusing on the rapid growth of the Muslim population within the broader context of the UK's evolving religious identity.
UK Religious Composition (2021 Census)
Historical Trends: 2001-2021
Data from the 2001, 2011, and 2021 censuses reveal a clear and consistent trend: a significant decline in the proportion of people identifying as Christian, contrasted with the rapid growth of the Muslim population and those with no religious affiliation. Click on a year in the chart legend to highlight the data and view a summary.
2021 Census Summary
In 2021, for the first time, less than half of the population of England and Wales identified as Christian (46.2%). The Muslim population grew to 6.5%, more than double its proportion in 2001. The "No Religion" category saw the largest increase, reaching 37.2% of the population.
Future Projections to 2035
Based on current trends in fertility, mortality, and migration, demographic projections provide a valuable insight into the likely future religious landscape of the UK. The Muslim population is expected to continue its growth, while the proportion identifying as Christian is projected to decline further. The most significant growth is expected among those with no religious affiliation.
Key Drivers of Demographic Change
The rapid growth of the Muslim population in the UK is a complex phenomenon with multiple contributing factors. These include historical and recent immigration patterns, differing birth rates and age profiles across communities, and cultural indicators that reflect a strong sense of identity.
Immigration
A key driver has been immigration, initially from South Asian countries like Pakistan and Bangladesh post-WWII. More recent years have seen significant immigration from the Middle East, Africa, and Eastern Europe, further diversifying the UK's Muslim community.
Higher Birth Rates
The Muslim community in the UK has a younger median age and a higher average birth rate compared to the general population. This demographic factor contributes significantly to the natural growth of the Muslim population from one generation to the next.
Cultural Indicators
The popularity of baby names serves as a powerful cultural indicator. In the UK, the name Muhammad (in its various spellings) has consistently been one of the most popular names for newborn boys, reflecting the growing size and strong identity of the British Muslim community.
Challenges and Complexities: Social Cohesion
The integration of growing minority communities is a complex process with significant social challenges. The discussion surrounding the UK's Muslim population has involved difficult issues related to crime, institutional response, and community cohesion. Use the tabs below to explore these topics.
Group-Based Child Sexual Exploitation
One of the most serious issues to emerge has been group-based Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE), often termed "grooming gangs." High-profile cases in cities like Rotherham, Oxford, and Newcastle revealed organised networks of men sexually abusing hundreds of vulnerable, predominantly white, young girls over many years. Official inquiries, such as the 2014 Jay Report on the Rotherham scandal, found that the majority of perpetrators in these specific local cases were of British-Pakistani heritage. The reports were damning of both the perpetrators and the authorities.
Institutional Failures and "Political Correctness"
A central finding of the inquiries was the catastrophic failure of police and social services to tackle the abuse. The Jay Report concluded that senior officials were aware of the problem for over a decade but failed to act. Subsequent reports, including the 2025 Casey Report, found this inaction was partly due to a "culture of ignorance" and a fear among officials of being labelled racist for highlighting the perpetrators' specific ethnic background. This reluctance allowed the abuse to continue unchecked, failing the victims and damaging community relations.
The Debate Over National Data and Ethnicity
While local inquiries identified an over-representation of men from Pakistani backgrounds in specific cases, the national picture remains contested due to poor data collection. A 2020 Home Office report concluded that, based on available data, group-based offenders were most commonly white. However, the Casey Report later criticised this, stating that ethnicity was not recorded in two-thirds of cases, making accurate national conclusions impossible. This lack of robust data has allowed the issue to be exploited by various groups to push political agendas, often harming community cohesion.
Community Response and Context
It is crucial to note that these criminal acts are condemned by the overwhelming majority of British Muslims and are contrary to the teachings of Islam. However, it has to be remembered that Muhammad married a six year old (Aisha) but didn’t have sex with her until she was nine years old.