Ethnicity 

• The terms 'race' and 'ethnicity' are often used interchangeably, though it could be argued that they have slightly different meanings.
• The majority of the UK population are white (92%). The remaining 8% (4.6 million people) belong to other ethnic groups. (Source: Office of National Statistics)
• The largest minority ethnic groups in order of size are:
  • Indians
  • Pakistanis
  • Mixed ethnic backgrounds
  • Black Caribbeans
  • Black Africans
  • Bangladeshis

              (Source: Office of National Statistics).

• 29% of London's population belongs to a minority ethnic group (2001 Census, Office of National Statistics).
• 38% of Bangladeshis and 35% of Pakistanis are aged under 16, compared with 20% of white Britons. (Source: Office of National Statistics).
• 26.5% of students starting a first degree law course in 2003 were from minority ethnic groups. (Law Society factsheet: 'Minority ethnic group solicitors 2004').
• By 1770, there were approximately 14,000 black people living in England (Source: bbc.co.uk 'Short History of Immigration').
• Britain's first black professional footballer began his career in the early 1900s. (source: bbc.co.uk 'Short History of Immigration').
• Britain's first Indian MP was elected to the House of Commons in 1892 (Source: bbc.co.uk 'Short History of Immigration').

For further information, see Links on ethnicity.