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Unemployment levels, education and reported health vary in the UK between ethnic groups. There are also differences in rates of marriage, divorce, mixed partnerships, early motherhood and single parenthood. Understanding the demographic structure of different ethnic groups helps to build a picture of differing family cultures. For example, families of non-white ethnic background have a younger age structure, are more likely to include children, and are more likely to live in multi-generational households.
According to the 2001 Census, the majority of the UK population is White British (88.2%), with the remaining 11.8% belonging to other ethnic groups. Of these, the largest was the Other White group (2.5 per cent), followed by Indians (1.8 per cent), Pakistanis (1.3 per cent), White Irish (1.2 per cent), those of Mixed ethnic backgrounds (1.2 per cent), Black Caribbeans (1.0 per cent), Black Africans (0.8 per cent) and Bangladeshis (0.5 per cent). (1)
The following pages include more information on the above along with current research and statistics.
1. National Statistics (2007) Social Trends 37 (London: The Stationery Office)
Parenting partnerships in culturally diverse child-care settings: A care provider perspective More+
Assessing parenting behaviours across racial groups: Implications for the child welfare system More+
Parenting across racial and class lines: Assortive mating patterns of new parents who are married, cohabiting,dating and no longer romantically involved More+
Instability in Fragile Families: The role of race-ethnicity, economics and relationships quality More+
Racial and ethnic differences in marriage after the birth of a child More+
April 2010
Equality Act 2010 More+
March 2010
Tackling race inequality: summary of responses More+
January 2010
Tackling race inequality: a statement on race More+
February 2009
Tackling race inequalities: a discussion document More+
Dependent children, by family type and ethnic group, 2009 More+
Percentage of families in each ethnic group More+
Percentage of women in each ethnic group More+
Ethnicity and Health
The Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology has published a briefing on ethnicity and health.
Briefing
Focus on Ethnicity and Identity
National Statistics provides a picture of the ethnic groups in the UK today. It includes information on their characteristics, lifestyles and experiences, placing particular emphasis on comparing and contrasting the main groups. Full report
Links to other sites for further information:
+ Equality and Human Rights Commission