Hinduism is a minority religion in Scotland. A significant number of Hindus settled there in the second half of the 20th century. At the time of the 2001 UK Census, 5,600 people identified as Hindu, which equated to 0.1% of the Scottish population and was slightly above the number of Hindus in Wales.[4] In the 2011 Census, the number of Hindus in Scotland almost tripled to over 16,000 adherents.[5] In the 2022 census, this number nearly doubled to just under 30,000 Hindus, representing about 0.6% of the population in Scotland.[1]
 | |
 The Hindu Mandir Glasgow in Glasgow | |
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 29,929 – 0.6% (2022 Census)[1] | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| City of Edinburgh | 8,459 – 1.6% |
| Glasgow City | 8,166 – 1.3% |
| Aberdeen City | 3,010 – 1.3% |
| East Renfrewshire | 1,253 – 1.3% |
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 5,564 | — |
| 2011 | 16,379 | +194.4% |
| 2022 | 29,929 | +82.7% |
| Source: Office for National Statistics and National Records of Scotland [2][3][1] | ||
Origins
editMost Scottish Hindus are of Indian origin, or at least from neighbouring countries, such as Sri Lanka and Nepal. Many of these came after Idi Amin's expulsion from Uganda in the 1970s, and some also came from South Africa. There are also a few of Indonesian and Afghan origin.
Many of these in turn are from the Punjab region of India. Common languages amongst them, other than English include Punjabi, Hindi, Urdu, Gujarati and Nepali.
Demographics
editAccording to the 2011 census, 16,327 stated their as Hinduism, including 47 Hare Krishnas and 17 Brahma Kumaris.[6]
Temples
editThere are several Hindu temples across the country. A temple in the West End of Glasgow was opened in 2006.[7] ISKCON, also known as "Hare Krishna", operates out of Lesmahagow in South Lanarkshire. There are also temples in Edinburgh, Dundee, and Aberdeen.[8]
See also
edit
References
edit- ^ a b c "Scotland's Census 2022 - Ethnic group, national identity, language and religion - Chart data". Scotland's Census. National Records of Scotland. 21 May 2024. Retrieved 21 May 2024. Alternative URL 'Search data by location' > 'All of Scotland' > 'Ethnic group, national identity, language and religion' > 'Religion'
- ^ "Census 2011: Religion: KS211NI (administrative geographies)". nisra.gov.uk. Archived from the original on 25 February 2013. Retrieved 18 December 2012.
- ^ "Summary: Religious Group Demographics". scotland.gov.uk. Archived from the original on 22 January 2013. Retrieved 18 December 2012.
- ^ ANALYSIS OF RELIGION IN THE 2001 CENSUS: Summary Report www.scotland.gov.uk, accessed 3 Dec 2009
- ^ "Hinduism - Testimony". Archived from the original on 4 October 2012.
- ^ "2011 Census: Key Results from Releases 2A to 2D" (PDF).
- ^ New Hindu temple opens in Glasgow BBC News, 19 July 2006
- ^ "Aberdeen Hindu Association".