One in seven persons in Britain is non-white, as the ethnic minority population grew by half a million over 2001 and 2003, according to the latest figures released by the government. However, the number of Indians migrating to UK for a better life is dwindling.
The non-white population has risen to 7.1 million with the Chinese community growing at the fastest rate. The rise in the Asian groups has been just 3.9 per cent compared to 11.6 per cent for the Chinese and 4.4 per cent for blacks.
The Chinese and black populations saw higher growth due to a huge influx of Chinese immigrants and asylum-seekers, respectively. The number of immigrants was around 3,74,000, while 143,000 children were born to ethnic populations.
According to sources, the arrival of Indian immigrants has slowed down dramatically and their birth rate is also near the national average.
The rise in the Muslim population has been slightly higher, mainly because of black Muslims coming over from Africa and also because of immigration from countries like Albania.
The growing prosperity among the ethnic groups, particularly Indians, has also led to exodus from London, where the ethnic population was 40.7 per cent in 2003.
{{/usCountry}}The growing prosperity among the ethnic groups, particularly Indians, has also led to exodus from London, where the ethnic population was 40.7 per cent in 2003.
{{/usCountry}}Although in Harrow and Southall, Indian-origin families dominate, many from boroughs in East End, have been migrating to wealthier suburbs and inner cities.
In the last three years, affluent families are also leaving London because of rising crime, poor quality of education and bad transport.