Muslim Population in the United Kingdom: A Regional Overview
The United Kingdom is home to a richly diverse Muslim community. According to the Office for National Statistics and related analyses, just under 4.0 million Muslims live in the UK — about 6.0% of the total population. (Wikipedia)
But their distribution and community structure vary widely across regions, shaped by history, immigration, economy, and local policy.
Region | Approx. Muslim Population (2021) | Key Cities / Hubs | Historical & Social Notes | Community Characteristics
Greater London — ≈ 1,318,754 (≈ 15.0% of London’s population) (Wikipedia) — London is the main hub.
London attracted early migrants from South Asia and the Caribbean, and remains the largest concentration of Muslims in the UK.
Diverse, globally connected; strong institutional presence (mosques, schools), high visibility and civic engagement.
West Midlands — ≈ 569,963 (≈ 9.6% of region’s population) (Wikipedia) — Birmingham, Coventry, Wolverhampton.
Historic Pakistani, Bangladeshi and Yemeni settlement from the mid-20th century.
A mature community with extensive social infrastructure, heavy civic involvement, and many second-/third-generation Muslims.
North West England — ≈ 563,105 (≈ 7.6%) (Wikipedia) — Manchester, Liverpool, Bolton, Blackburn.
Textile-industry towns attracted South Asian migrants; recently diversified with African and Eastern-European Muslim arrivals.
Strong local networks, active youth and women’s programmes, growing leadership in civic and cultural spheres.
Yorkshire & Humber — ≈ 442,533 (≈ 8.1%) (Wikipedia) — Leeds, Bradford, Sheffield, Huddersfield.
One of the UK’s oldest South Asian Muslim settlement regions; Bradford in particular known for large British Pakistani Muslim population.
Deep roots, established institutions; community engaged in both local business and regional politics.
Scotland — ≈ 119,872 (≈ 2.2%) (Wikipedia) — Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen.
Smaller proportion than England; Muslim population growing through migration and university intake.
Smaller but tightly-knit community; increasing prominence in professional sectors and civic life.
Wales — ≈ 66,947 (≈ 2.2%) (Wikipedia) — Cardiff, Swansea, Newport.
Small but growing; concentrated in urban areas with immigrant and refugee Muslim families.
Emerging institutions; strong newcomer support; many mosque-community centre hybrids.
Northern Ireland — ≈ 10,870 (≈ 0.6%) (Wikipedia) — Belfast, Derry/Londonderry.
Very small Muslim minority; many professional and student Muslims as well as families from Africa and the Middle East.
Still developing in terms of independent community infrastructure.
Why the Distribution Differs
Immigration Patterns
London and the West Midlands were major destinations for Pakistani/Bangladeshi migrants in the 1950s-70s. Recent arrivals from Africa and the Middle East have diversified other regions.
Economic Opportunity
Urban manufacturing, service and public-sector jobs in major cities attracted early Muslim arrivals; newer employment hubs and universities fuel growth in other regions.
Cultural & Ethnic Networks
Communities often cluster where existing family and social networks exist (e.g., Bradford, Birmingham). These networks facilitate further internal migration and community growth.
Policy & Social Climate
England’s metropolitan areas tend to have more visible faith-based organisations and civic engagement; Muslim communities in smaller regions often navigate different social dynamics.
Community Age & Growth
The Muslim population in the UK is younger than average; between 2011 and 2021 it grew by over a million — about a third of UK population growth. (Muslim Council of Britain)
Region | Approx. Muslim Population (2021) | % of Region Population
| Region | Population | % |
|---|---|---|
| England & Wales | ≈ 3,868,133 (Muslim Council of Britain) | ≈ 6.5% |
| United Kingdom (total) | ≈ 3,998,875 (Wikipedia) | ≈ 6.0% |
References
- Office for National Statistics. Religion, England and Wales: Census 2021. (Office for National Statistics)
- Wikipedia. Islam in the United Kingdom. (Wikipedia)
- Muslim Council of Britain. British Muslims in Numbers: Census Report Summary 2025. (Muslim Council of Britain)
- Centre for Research and Evidence on Security Threats (CREST). British Muslims: Demography and Communities. (Crest Research)