Sharp growth in London’s “Black African” population

Recent and more detailed analysis of the 2001 British Census data has thrown up a few surprises. Perhaps most striking of all has been the rise of the number of “Black African” (a term used by the Census) people living in London. Currently, at 378,933 people, “Black Africans” make up some 5% of the London population (and have now overtaken “Black Caribbean” people to take position behind Indians as the second largest ethnic minority group in London). The “Black African” group is set to be the fastest growing minority group in London, almost doubling in size between 1991 and 2011. In at least four districts of London, Africans make up more than 10% of the local population. The Greater London Authority (the pan-London body with responsibility for the capital) has noted the significance of these developments and has made moves to explore how it can engage more effectively with African communities in the city.