Are British Muslims actually ethnically diverse?

Recent data reveals British Muslims representing a broad mix of ethnic backgrounds - challenging outdated assumptions.

and

Jun 10, 2025

The 2025 Census Report Summary revealed a more complex picture of British Muslim identity than assumed. Far from a single, uniform group, British Muslims reflect a range of ethnic backgrounds and cultural histories. This article explores how this diversity reshapes public understanding and why acknowledging it is key to building inclusive national narratives.

British Muslims are mistakenly seen as a single, uniform group, but the truth is much different. The UK’s Muslim population spans multiple ethnicities, reflecting a rich and complex community.

The largest ethnic group within British Muslims is Asian/Asian British, making up around 2.6 million people, or 66% of the Muslim population. However, 34% come from other ethnic backgrounds, showing the community’s significantly broad diversity.

Here’s the breakdown: about 10.7% identify as Black, African, Caribbean, or Black British; 13.6% fall into the “Other” ethnic category, which includes smaller and mixed ethnic groups; 3.6% identify as Mixed or Multiple ethnicities; and 5.8% are White Muslims. This is widespread across at least five ethnic categories, making British Muslims one of the most ethnically diverse religious groups in the UK.

By comparison, other major groups tend to be more homogeneous. For instance, 93.8% of Christians in Britain are White. British Muslims, on the other hand, show a more even ethnic distribution.

It’s important to recognise that the geographic clustering of different ethnic groups within the Muslim community is largely shaped by historical labour migration and housing patterns, rather than self-segregation. British Muslims live across the country in many different communities, contributing to the UK’s cultural and social fabric.

In fact, one in three people in the UK’s Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) population is Muslim. This highlights the significant role British Muslims play in the nation’s ethnic diversity.

Understanding this multi-ethnic nature helps challenge stereotypes and encourages a more nuanced view of British Muslims as a vibrant, diverse, and united community.

Are British Muslims actually ethnically diverse?

Recent data reveals British Muslims representing a broad mix of ethnic backgrounds - challenging outdated assumptions.

Discussion about this post