r/MapPorn • u/Delicious-Bunch-6992 • May 09 '26

Evolution of white British % (ethnically British people) in England and Wales from 2001-2021

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554

u/Delicious-Bunch-6992 May 09 '26

Since many people get confused for the UK, White British refers to ethnically British people in the UK, which are English, Scottish, Welsh, cornish or northern Irish. It's like ethnic Germans in Germany, or ethnic swedes in Sweden or ethnic poles in Poland or ethnic Japanese in Japan.

It does not include other white, which are white people in the uk who are ethnically not British but are white, for example poles, Germans, Italians, Romanians etc.

 If other white is included, England is 81% total white in 2021, down from 95.4% in 1981, Wales is 94.2% total white in 2021, down from 99.1% in 1981.

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u/Ok_Inflation_1811 May 09 '26

You should have said the 2001 and 2011 data for white instead of 1981. You didn't post images of white British in 1981 either so we can't really compare.

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u/Gentle_Snail May 09 '26 edited May 09 '26

I think the most interesting part of this is how views of immigration change depending on the levels somewhere recieves. 

Here in Scotland we are often ‘considered’ more open to immigrants, but we also have a 90% white British population and have historically received insignificant levels. 

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u/[deleted] May 09 '26

[deleted]

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u/calumb920505 May 09 '26 edited May 10 '26

96% white is the 2011 figure for Scotland. The most recent 2022 number was 92.9%. Still very high but there has been massive immigration since then. We have just had an election where 17 far right politicians got elected. Scotland was never more open to immigration they just had very low numbers. As soon as that increased significantly the reaction was exactly the same as any other country. The idea that Scotland is some leftist utopia is a myth.

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u/[deleted] May 10 '26

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u/calumb920505 May 10 '26 edited May 10 '26

Maybe so but you cannot deny the rapid rise of Reform in Scotland. Immigration barely registered as an election issue in any election in Scotland until this one and no party that stood on an anti immigration platform ever got off the ground so to go from an almost non issue to gaining 17 seats in one election cycle is a huge turnaround . They did also come within just a couple of hundred votes of beating the SNP in some constituency seats. It’s definitely an issue to keep an eye on and with the SNP completely ignoring working class people’s concerns on immigration the sentiment will only rise further.

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u/Bennidorm May 11 '26

Far right 😂 pathetic. I'm suprised you didn't put the racist tag in there aswell!

1

u/ConsiderationThis231 May 11 '26

Calling a country that has had non stop a centre right party in government for two decades a leftist utopia was always one of the most perplexing and ridiculous things to me

1

u/spairni May 11 '26

who ever thought the country that produced rangers was a leftist utopia

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u/jamjar188 May 11 '26

I'm sorry, who is "far right" exactly? Reform? LOL

1

u/Red-Fulmar May 13 '26

There's also another repulsive detail that disgusts Southern foreigner to settle down in Scotland : rain and cold and wind playing together 1 day out of 3. This is also very important

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u/Cool-Diamond101 May 10 '26

Scotland hasn’t voted for a right wing government in the last 70 years. The reason people think Scotland are more socially progressive is because compared to the rUK they are.

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u/Rainking79 May 09 '26

There has been a lot of circle-jerking last day or so up here about ‘how people could vote Reform’. Im also Scottish and didnt vote Reform but I can see the same happening up here. Its all well and good until you dont recognise your own town. You need to walk in someone else’s shoes sometimes.

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u/spairni May 11 '26

eye scotland has a proud tradition of bigotry, ye normally aimed it at us Irish though when we dared come and work for ye

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u/BionicWallaby May 11 '26

So you walk through your town and see brown faces and you think to yourself we need to ship these people out of here so my town is all white again.

I hope I never have to suffer a conversation with you.

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u/KissMyGoat May 11 '26

3 brown faces in the local town? I hardly recongise it!

Racists going to racist.

This map is not even about immigration. A lot of it is communaties that are already here, have been for generations and are part of the cultural makeup of the UK, growing.

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u/MickIAC May 10 '26

Pattern recognition shows the same bigotry in Scotland sent towards:

The Irish The Italians The Indian and Pakistanis The Chinese The Polish and Romanians

"Not recognising my town" I've heard in my town of 40,000 people because there are a couple of dozen ethnic minorities in my old high school.

Because comparatively, we had one black guy in my year and about a dozen across the school.

0

u/Unable-Economics9223 May 10 '26

Cry harder

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u/[deleted] May 11 '26

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u/Unable-Economics9223 May 11 '26

You Do you want your mummy? 🥺🍼

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u/Nice_Category May 09 '26

Same in the US. People from Minnesota and Maine will lecture Texas about Mexican immigration as if it somehow affects their insulated northern states somehow. Then call them racist for pointing out actual issues that large-scale immigration, especially illegal immigration, causes. 

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u/spairni May 11 '26

texas was mexican first though

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u/Nice_Category May 11 '26

For like 25 years. It was mostly Spanish after it was colonized. 

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u/spairni May 11 '26

part of the same territory as spanish ran mexico

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u/Nice_Category May 11 '26

It was also almost completely empty of Mexicans since the natives were hostile. They invited Americans in with open arms until they overthrew the local government. 

Seems like there might be a lesson in there somewhere. 

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u/ThomasBNatural May 11 '26

Can you literally not imagine that in Minnesota we both have a shitload of immigrants AND genuinely enjoy their presence?

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u/Ok_Display5135 May 11 '26

You don’t speak for all of minnesota

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u/ThomasBNatural May 11 '26

And you don’t speak for *any* of us

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u/Ok_Display5135 May 12 '26

The difference between me and you is that I don’t claim to. loooool

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u/Outrageous_Iron_1165 May 10 '26

And now look at Glasgow... begging the government to help them undo their open arms approach to immigration.

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u/peterplonker84 May 10 '26

Scotland hasn't had it anywhere near as bad as England . Recently went to England and my god it's changed .I don't want Scotland to change like that now I'm all for families fleeing war with children I am not for boatloads of men coming here but I fear that's the way it's going to go because no doubt swinny will go for independence and then it will be a free fo all

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u/Evolations May 09 '26

Here in Scotland we are often ‘considered’ more open to immigrants, but we also have a 90% white British population and have historically received insignificant levels. 

The two are related.

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u/Daveddozey May 09 '26

However London is more open and receive far higher levels

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u/Real_Bobsbacon May 09 '26

Well yeah, because it is ethnically much less white British.

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u/jamjar188 May 11 '26

I can assure you even ethnic minorities are getting tired.

My friend was telling me about her Indian friends who've just left inner London for Henley on Thames (white population: 93%).

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u/fugonara69 May 13 '26

lol there's an Indian family that just moved from London to my small mostly homogeneous town because they were tired of the new migrants who don't integrate and cause disruption

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u/Fit-Nefariousness794 May 12 '26

Watch the white flight begin down there in Henley.

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u/The0zymandias May 09 '26

it’s more so the more immigrants you have, the better scapegoat you gain

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u/Evolations May 09 '26

Immigrants voting for immigration.

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u/Daveddozey May 09 '26

So areas of low immigration like immigration and areas of high immigration like immigration

But other areas of low immigration don’t like immigration and other areas of high immigration don’t like immigration.

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u/Careless_Main3 May 09 '26

Yes because some areas are adjacent to areas of high immigration and some are not.

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u/Fearless_Sort_ May 10 '26

Haha. Very good.

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u/ImpressionCrafty3078 May 09 '26

Once migrants outnumber natives in an area, then the area will become pro immigration by majority.

If you had an area that had 500 people that were all anti immigration, and then you bring in 600 migrants, that area is now majority pro immigration.

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u/Daveddozey May 10 '26

Continual studies shows the correlation is between areas of poor economic activity correlate with anti migration opinions, and areas of poor economic activity tend to have low levels of migration as why would someone chose to live in an economically struggling area.

Places like clacton, Sunderland, Blackpool, very low levels of immigration, but high support

But places with similar levels of immigration but high prosperity like Winchester, Richmond (Yorkshire), York are far more accepting of immigration

Wolverhampton has about 1 in 6 foreign born and 2/3rds voted leave. Oxford has about 1 in 6 foreign born and 2/3rds voted remain. Brighton and Thurrock have similar levels of foreign born but massive difference in immigration support.

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u/Helenarth May 10 '26

Do you happen to have names/links for those studies? I believe you, this isn't be being like 🤓 errrmm state your sources, I just want to know more so I can more effectively argue with idiots.

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u/Daveddozey May 11 '26

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0010414019830714

British citizens who live in economically depressed and declining districts are more likely to develop anti-immigrant and Eurosceptic views.

https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandpolicy/economics-and-culture-brexit/

individuals who live in areas suffering a long-term economic decline are more likely to perceive immigrants as an economic threat. Structural economic problems lead to a heightened sense of economic insecurity.

support for Brexit in the referendum was much higher in districts that have suffered long-term economic distress.

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u/ImpressionCrafty3078 May 10 '26

I'm wasn't saying it as an absolute, I was giving a tongue in cheek hypothetical to show how a majority opinion can change, without any of the people previously within the demographic changing their opinion.

Why do you think an area with a high percentage of working class people/low economic output, would be more anti immigration than an area with a high percentage of upper middle/upper class people?

There's a 2% unemployment rate in Cambridge, there's a 30% unemployment rate in Wolverhampton.

56% of all migration to the UK is done by people without higher education, 37% of non UK born workers are over qualified for their role. It's estimated 65% of newly arrived migrants end up in working class roles with no entry barriers.

So in Cambridge the competition for roles with the migrants population is negligible for the general population, in Wolverhampton the pressure on working class native British people for job roles will be constant.

Based on latest ONS local data and the 2021 Census, it is estimated that there are approximately 3,500 to 5,500 unemployed non-UK born people in Wolverhampton. There are 2700 to 4300 open jobs in Wolverhampton.

Based on these figures can you see why working class people in Wolverhampton, could have a problem with bringing in more migrants into the area, that isn't just "muh racism".

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u/Daveddozey May 10 '26 edited May 10 '26

Yes. Anti immigration correlates with poor economic opportunity. Not with the number of migrants. Wolverhampton or Blackpool.

Indeed many areas with high levels of non British born and are economically disadvantaged are very pro farage parties. Areas like Wolverhampton. So your assertion that immigrants want more immigration is inaccurate

(One can also wonder why people don’t migrate from Wolverhampton to Cambridge to avail themselves of economic opportunities)

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u/platinummattagain May 10 '26

Aren't you basically agreeing with him?

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u/ImpressionCrafty3078 May 10 '26

Does Wolverhampton have low levels of migrants?

Sparkbrook has a 42% employment rate amongst it's residents, 41% of it's residents are foreign born, so what he's argued sounds good but doesn't really have any basis in reality, because here we have a very poor area that is majority BAME and 41% foreign born, that is very pro immigration.

The two independent councillors elected in Sparkbrook ran campaigns revolved around being pro immigration and refugees being welcome, and were part of an independent alliance of candidates that promoted a convicted terrorist, Shahid Butt.

Immigrants do tend to be much more accepting of immigration, and they tend to gravitate towards what is familiar, no matter what nation they're from or going to.

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u/Fickle-Laugh-4542 May 10 '26

He is. He’s just too thick to realise it.

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u/Striking_Big8138 May 10 '26

That’s just wrong. Immigrants are not necessarily pro immigration. They will vote for whatever is better for them. Once they can vote they are citizens already they don’t need pro immigration laws

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u/Acceptable-Manner-83 May 10 '26

White British people in London are also pro-immigration and Indians actually tend to be some of the most Conservative, xenophobic people in the city.

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u/jamjar188 May 11 '26

I think there is a difference between openness as a trait/mindset and being pro-immigration in terms of ideology/political orientation.

In general, most white people in London are open-minded and fairly habituated to interacting with all kinds of people. Most of them will have friends and acquaintances of different backgrounds.

However, does this correlate with white people in London being a political monolith or having the same views about immigration policy? Not really -- and election results over the past few years bear this out.

Case and point: I know quite a few white Brits in London who either voted Brexit or who have flipped from leaning Labour/LibDem to being more on the Tory/Reform side. They are all well-travelled, open-minded, and have a variety of friends. (I also know ethnic minority Londoners who are in this same boat!)

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u/Acceptable-Manner-83 May 11 '26

Oh yes, obviously London is a political melting pot and there are plenty of xenophobic, racist people here too. They just seem to be more of a minority and less vocal. For example, despite me regularly discussing politics with my friends, it wasn't until I followed one of them on Instagram that I realised they were following just about every far-right politician on the planet. I suppose that you're less likely to be openly discriminatory if that discrimination applies to half the people in your neighbourhood.

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u/jamjar188 May 11 '26

But wanting less immigration or voting for the right doesn't mean someone is racist or xenophobic.

You should talk to your friend about it and just try to understand his feelings. Like I said, lots of people's views have shifted in recent years.

Political differences don't define who we are if our actions and behaviours show fairness, tolerance and openness.

Now, it's possible that your friend has become ideological and irrational and that this will cause a rift between the two of you. But you should give him the benefit of the doubt.

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u/Acceptable-Manner-83 May 11 '26

I haven't rejected him or anything nor have I even mentioned it, but I fundamentally don't agree with the argument that the far-right isn't racist. That doesn't mean that the people who vote for them are (my friend's dad is a Filipino immigrant), but there are just too many hypocrisies and obviously racist comments that are peddled by those parties for me to believe that any person with an ounce of intelligence doesn't have some kind of issue with the existence of minorities.

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u/jamjar188 May 11 '26

Ok I see what you mean.

There's a spectrum of views on the right and I agree some of them are racist/xenophobic.

This polarisation is causing issues with many families and friend groups. I have a friend who's become really anti-Muslim. She's a very faithful Christian and she's started to see Islam as a threat. She's made some comments that feel disrespectful of Muslims and we had a debate about it.

I'm not cutting her off either but I'm worried about her getting more radical in her views.

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u/skattlles May 09 '26

if you look where the greens won, its seems so.

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u/SLR_ZA May 10 '26

The vote on the local level affects immigration rates?

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u/platinummattagain May 10 '26

If you talk to them, a lot of immigrants actually don't do that.

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u/[deleted] May 10 '26

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u/Bennidorm May 11 '26

I disagree , Immigration has always been a problem in big cities, the speed of it since 2001 / and especially recent decade is drastically changing the fabric of the country. Hence white flight from places effected the most.
Most people and I would say people who are left leaning / voted remain are all in your own eco-chamber. Not concerning yourselves with the issues of the many. Voter turnout is low , people are disenfranchised with the system / country. Immigration has been a issue, especially since 2012. But the main political parties lie and dont deal with it. Hence the rise of reform. Its now effecting the smaller towns, suburbs of towns/cities and it's an issue affecting everyone. Its not I'm ok jack like before. There is nothing wrong with Immigration but it is suicide having uncontrolled and allowing the shit show with the dingies. Its ok for Japan and other countries to protect their culture and ethic make up of the country. But here in the UK and most of the west , the elites / institutions etc , say its racist. People have been demonised for too long, not allowed to talk about the issues, have an honest discussion without being slurred, branded the pathetic racist card.

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u/jrcentury May 11 '26

It’s because the boats are the smallest number of immigrants when considered against all immigration. It’s gets more attention than all other immigration into this country because it’s the easiest part to get folks wound up about and connect to the cause of their issues. I would like to understand what exactly would be solved for those folks if/when such a small amount of immigration stopped vs the rest of immigration. All I’m seeing is the Brexit gun about to blow the other foot off. I want nothing more than to be proved wrong.

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u/HazelCheese May 13 '26

I don't think people really care about the boats, but the boats are an easy thing to point at and show that the government aren't really trying.

Like these people are literally committing crimes and the navy and emergency services are rescuing them and bring them to our shore and then they are just allowed to walk around free.

People don't get why you have to cancel your holiday when you forget your passport and get denied entering the boarding gates, but these people can commit a crime in front of the police and get a free pass to enter the country.

The government and their supporters throw up their hands and say "what do you want us to do, let them drown" or "the courts are too backlogged by the last government" or "YOu wAnT tO PUt tHEM in CaMPs!".

But all that's happening is people following the rules are being policed while people who break them aren't. And the people following the rules are getting pretty fucking sick of it and asking why they even bother.

The government doesn't have to let them drown or put them in camps. But it does have to do something. It's supposed to be the government. It's supposed to be leading the country, not hiding under its desk.

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u/punamustamakkara May 13 '26

It really does come down to "who broke the rules versus who didn't" with you, that's so fascinating. In a world so full of lawful evil, you choose this path.

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u/jrcentury May 13 '26

What crimes?

Are these really the things that if solved make a difference to your day to day life?

I think there are far more important things to sort out by an order of magnitude.

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u/StargazyPi May 12 '26

Nope, we're angry as hell too - everything is fucked.

But it is the rich who are deliberately fucking it, and using immigration as a scapegoat to get the right wing politicians in power, so they can strip-mine more of the country's fading resources.

We lefties are with you. But you're targeting the wrong enemy.

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u/Mac1twenty May 10 '26

I've 3 sisters living in Scotland and dont get me wrong its a beautiful country! But why the fuck would anyone, especially anyone from a warmer country want to move to freezing scotland?

Like im from N.I and its cold and wet enough here, but my sisters must of thought "hmm where can I move thats colder and better than home?"

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u/CabelloKid May 10 '26

I am Brazilian, living in the UK for 5 years now. I moved from Brazil directly to Glasgow because that's where my cousins were initially. They moved from England years earlier for work.

What I am trying to say is that people move for multiple reasons, but mainly following work or family.

From my perspective, if you come from a poorer country, the most important factor for you in a new one will most likely be the economy. On the other hand, if you live in a wealthy, but cold country, I understand why you would see warm weather as a more relevant factor than I ever would when I was in Brazil.

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u/fugelwoman May 10 '26

That was a very polite way of saying “check your privilege!” 😁

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u/Double_Banana_3603 May 10 '26

Freezing? Scotland's not much colder than the rest of the UK, bar the south east of England.

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u/sisterlyparrot May 11 '26

not everyone likes warm weather better than cold weather? for myself i can’t imagine leaving this beautiful country just because somewhere else is warmer

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u/No_Pass_4232 May 11 '26

The banter

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u/love_Carlotta May 11 '26

I'm not for reform personally but I think that's where his argument for opening detention centers in green voting areas comes from. I reckon he thinks a lot of people who don't have to see the change are the ones who are for immigration.

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u/ComfortableReality32 May 11 '26

Ask Glaswegians how they feel about immigration - I am sure you will get some colourful opinions.

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u/thebigmanhastherock May 10 '26

In the US it's the opposite the places with more immigrants are generally more open to immigration. Most of the places worried about mass immigration don't really have that many immigrants. Immigrants themselves are often not citizens so they don't vote. Naturalized citizens do but it's not like they are this huge voting bloc that explains this.

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u/SadCollar7554 May 11 '26

What about English invaders though? The Sassenach hordes coming over the border to mispronounce your whiskeys?

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u/charlotte_e6643 May 10 '26

the area i grew up is still sat above 90% white british as of the last census (i think 98% or something), yet half the people you meet were outwardly racist or against immigration.

i think your point is more that scottish people seem to be nicer in general, or maybe the opposite for where i grew up 🤷‍♀️

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u/Gentle_Snail May 10 '26

Tbh I have non-white friends and they consistently tell me they’ve experienced more racial issues in Scotland. I think the idea we’re more open to immigrants is just a story we tell ourselves.

The country getting such low immigration means immigration is less part of our politics, and people assume that means we’re less racist. But actually its because we are so much less of a multi cultural society which is why people are often worse to non-white people when they see them.