E-Paper
UK Indians surpass Brits, other Asians in education
Almost 37 pc of Indians hold degrees compared to 33.64 pc British, 18.32 pc Pakistanis and 13.55 pc Bangladeshis.
The first generation of Indian families that came to Britain has almost gone and today half of the Indian population, like that of Blacks, is British born.
The findings in the Census 2001 which have been released now also show that men and women of Indian origin are the "most likely to be in work, whether it is full-time, part-time or self-employment".
More than 65 per cent of Indians between 16 and 74 are working, compared with 47 per cent of Pakistanis and 44 per cent of those from Bangladesh. The number of Indian women working either in family business or offices is also highest compared with the women from other parts of the subcontinent.
Indians are also better educated than most from other ethnic minority communities. Almost 37 per cent of Indians are degree-holders compared with 33.64 per cent British, 18.32 per cent Pakistanis, and 13.55 per cent Bangladeshis.
In fact for the first time, the Census finding reveals the depth of poverty in Muslim families in Britain. This points to the deep deprivation behind the rioting in northern cities and the apparent willingness of some Muslim youth to turn to extremism. One of three Muslim children comes from a family where no one has a job.
Richard Berthoud, Research professor at the Institute of Social and Economic Research at the University of Essex, said that now majority of Black and Asian people here, who were always asked: "Where do you come from" would be able to answer "Here". They are now part of the community and are no longer foreigners, he added.
Black and Asian people born in Britain, in fact, make up 50 per cent of the non-white population in the country. Commentators said these findings that cover England and Wales, marked a significant milestone in Britain's cultural history.
Out of the total population of 58.7 million, 4.6 million are members of ethnic minorities, including mixed-race people.
Tariq Modood, Professor of Sociology at Bristol University, said the published data would help shift outdated attitudes towards country's cultural identity.
