Indian community of London

British Indians form the largest ethno-national group in London with a population of around 656,272 or 7.5% of the population. The majority are concentrated in West London, though populations can be found throughout London.

Indian community of London
Total population
Estimated at around 542,857[1]
6.6% of London's population
(37% of the total Indian population in the UK)
Regions with significant populations
London
Southall, Wembley, Hounslow, Brent, Croydon, Redbridge, Ealing, Barnet, Tooting, Harrow
Languages
Religion
Related ethnic groups
Communities with significant
Indian populations
Community Percentage of
total population
Greater London 6.6%
Harrow 26.4%
Hounslow 19.0%
Brent 18.6%
Redbridge 16.4%
Ealing 14.3%
Newham 13.8%
Hillingdon 13.4%

Demographics

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Proportion stating that their ethnic group was Indian in the 2011 census in Greater London.

As at 2021, the Indian population of Greater London was 656,272 or 7.5% of the population, (including those of British Indian ethnic origin).[1]

Religious groups

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Hinduism: Some of the largest Hindu temples in Europe, the Shree Swaminarayan Mandir, is located in North West London, London. The number of Hindus in London is around 350,000, of which most are of Indian descent, and Hindus compose nearly 64% of Indians in Greater London.

Sikhism: Most Sikhs in Greater London live in West London, Southall being the heart of the community. And some also live in Bexleyheath, Erith, Hayes, Ruislip, Hounslow, Belvedere, Osterley and Ealing. The largest Sikh organisation in the UK is the London-based City Sikhs. The number of Sikhs in London is around 150,000, of which most are of Indian descent, and Sikhs compose over 27% of Indians in Greater London.

Islam: Around 20% of Indians in London are Muslims. They are located primarily in Newham, Redbridge and Waltham Forest in East London. Indian Muslims in London have strong connections to the Pakistani and Bangladeshi Muslim community of London. Most Indian Muslims came from East Africa, Jamaica, Gujarat, Bihar, West Bengal and Mumbai.

Christianity: There are a significant number of Christian Indians in London. Most of them are from the states of Kerala and Goa. Denominations include Indian Orthodox, Catholicism, and Protestantism. There is a church in Wembley which offers church services in the Gujarati language.

Parsi: The Parsi community, which mostly comes from the state of Gujarat or from Mumbai, is also present in London.

Jainism: In 2006 it was estimated that there were 25,000 Jains in the United Kingdom.[2]

Population spread

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West London

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In West London, close to Heathrow Airport, resides one of the UK's largest Indian communities. According to the 2001 Census, 39% of the people within the Ealing Southall constituency, comprising Southall and nearby areas, are of British Asian origin.[3] Wembley and Harrow has a thriving Gujarati community while Southall being home to a thriving Punjabi community. Southall Broadway being popular among the diaspora for its Indian shops, cinemas and restaurants. Another Indian residential area is the London Borough of Hounslow.

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Singaporean author Balli Kaur Jaswal wrote the 2017 novel Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows, which involves the Punjabi Sikh community in London.[4]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b 2021 Census data on ethnicity, Accessed 1 April 2023
  2. ^ "Religions - Jainism: Jainism at a glance". BBC. Retrieved 14 September 2013.
  3. ^ "Local statistics - Office for National Statistics". neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk.
  4. ^ Milne, Rosie (27 June 2017). "Book review: Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows - Singaporean author's novel blends romantic comedy with family saga". Asian Review of Books at the South China Morning Post. Archived from the original on 30 April 2018. Retrieved 1 December 2018. - See post at Archived 2018-12-01 at the Wayback Machine Asian Review of Books
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