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This article is about one of the white ethnicity classifications used in the United Kingdom census. For the broad racial group, see white people in the United Kingdom. For the history of immigration from Ireland, regardless of race or ethnicity, see Irish migration to Great Britain.

White Irish
Distribution by regional area at the 2011 census
Total population
United Kingdom Great Britain: 564,342 – 0.9%
(2021/22 Census)[note 1]
 England: 494,251 – 0.9% (2021)[1]
 Scotland: 56,877 – 1.0% (2022)[2]
 Wales: 13,214 – 0.4% (2021)[1]
Northern Ireland: 520,586 – 28.7% (2011)[note 2][3][note 3]
Regions with significant populations
Languages
British English · Hiberno-English · Irish
Scottish Gaelic · Scots · Ulster Scots · Shelta
Religion
Predominantly Christianity (71.6%);
minority follows other faiths (1.5%)[a] or are irreligious (21.5%)
2021 census, England and Wales only[5]

White Irish is an ethnicity classification used in the census in the United Kingdom for England, Scotland and Wales. In the 2021 census, the White Irish population was 564,342 or 0.9% of Great Britain's total population.[6] This was a slight fall from the 2011 census which recorded 585,177 or 1% of the total population.

This total does not include the White Irish population estimate for Northern Ireland, where only the term 'White' is used in ethnic classification and such White British people and White Irish are amalgamated. National identity is listed separately in NI, where 28.7% of those who identified as White classified themselves as Irish only or Irish with one or more additional categories (e.g. Irish and Northern Irish at 1.1%), making up a significant portion of the population.[7][8][9][10][11]

Terminology

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Census classifications

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For the 2011 census, in England and Wales the ethnicity self-classification section included the category of White Irish as the second option, after White British.[12][13] Where Scotland differs in the White British category, by breaking down the option into two different categories (White Scottish and Other White British); the Scottish census maintains the same naming convention, listing White Irish as the third option in the ethnic group section.[14] In Northern Ireland, the White Irish classification did not appear, the only choice being 'White'.[15]

National Identity is listed separately in Northern Ireland, with those who identified themselves as White in the 2011 census choosing one or more options. 'White' and 'Irish' made up 455,161 (25.1 per cent) out of a total population of 1,810,863 (of all ethnic backgrounds). When including those who listed themselves as 'White', and 'Irish' or 'Irish' plus one, or more, other National Identity; there were 520,586 persons (28.7 per cent). These additional White multi-identity groupings included combinations such as "White: Irish and Northern Irish" at 19,044 (1.1 per cent), "White: British and Irish" at 11,684 (0.6 per cent), and "White: British, Irish and Northern Irish" at 18,249 (1.0 per cent).[7]

Local government

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Outside of national censuses, local governments, councils and NHS districts use the category of White Irish for statistical purposes. For example, Devon County Council has published a diversity guide which defines White Irish people as a black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) category.[16] NHS Bradford District also defines White Irish as an ethnic minority group.[17] Kirklees Council uses the abbreviation 'Ethnicity Code' WIRI for White Irish persons.[18]

Demographics

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White Irish by region and country
Region / Country 2021[20] 2011[24] 2001[28]
Number % Number % Number %
 England 494,251 0.87% 517,001 0.93% 624,115 1.27%
—Greater London 156,333 1.78% 175,974 2.15% 220,488 3.07%
—South East 78,219 0.84% 73,571 0.85% 82,405 1.03%
—North West 61,422 0.83% 64,930 0.92% 77,499 1.15%
—East of England 57,964 0.91% 55,573 0.95% 61,208 1.14%
—West Midlands 47,886 0.80% 55,216 0.99% 73,136 1.39%
—South West 31,698 0.56% 28,616 0.54% 32,484 0.66%
—East Midlands 27,130 0.56% 28,676 0.63% 35,478 0.85%
—Yorkshire and the Humber 25,215 0.46% 26,410 0.50% 32,735 0.66%
—North East 8,384 0.32% 8,035 0.31% 8,682 0.35%
 Scotland[b] 56,877 1.05% 54,090 1.02% 49,428 0.98%
 Wales 13,214 0.43% 14,086 0.46% 17,689 0.61%
United Kingdom Great Britain 564,342 0.87% 585,177 0.95% 691,232 1.21%

Population and distribution

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Distribution of White Irish by local authority, 2021 census
Population pyramid of the White Irish in 2021 (in England and Wales)
Country of birth (2021 census, England and Wales)[29]

Year of arrival (2021 census, England and Wales)[30]

  Born in the UK (43.7%)
  Before 1951 (2.2%)
  1951 to 1960 (10.3%)
  1961 to 1970 (9.9%)
  1971 to 1980 (5.0%)
  1981 to 1990 (8.0%)
  1991 to 2000 (4.9%)
  2001 to 2010 (5.7%)
  2011 to 2021 (10.3%)

The 2021 United Kingdom census recorded a population of 564,342 or 0.5% of the population in Great Britain, a 3.56% decline compared to 2011. When broken down by country, England recorded 494,251 (0.9%), Wales recorded 13,214 (0.4%)[1] and the equivalent census in Scotland was recorded a year later, with a population of 56,877, or 1.0% of the population.[2] The ten local authorities with the largest proportion of those who identified as White Irish were all located in Greater London: Islington (3.26%), Brent (2.74%), Hammersmith and Fulham (2.63%), Camden (2.53%), Richmond upon Thames (2.49%), Wandsworth (2.46%), Ealing (2.32%), Haringey (2.16%), the City of London (2.16%) and Hackney (2.15%). Outside of London, Three Rivers in Hertfordshire had the highest proportion at 2.11%. In Scotland, the highest concentration was in Edinburgh at 2.01% and in Wales, the highest proportion was in Conwy at 0.73%.[31]

Between 2001 and 2011, the White Irish population decreased by 18 per cent.[32] Along with the White British population, the group was one of only two ethnic groups to decrease in number in the ten-year period.[33]

As of the 2011 census, in England and Wales,[34] London has by far the highest White Irish population in numbers and by regional proportion, numbering 175,974 inhabitants. The second highest county is the West Midlands with a White Irish population of 39,183, followed by Greater Manchester (34,499) - all other counties are below 20,000 inhabitants.[34]

The district with the highest local White Irish population is the London Borough of Brent (4.0%). Five of the remaining districts above 3.0% are all London boroughs, namely Islington, Hammersmith and Fulham, Camden, Ealing and Harrow; the only one outside London is the unitary authority of Luton (3.0%).[34] By total population, the district with the highest White Irish population is the city of Birmingham, where 22,021 residents identified themselves as being White Irish. The second highest district was London Borough of Brent (12,320), followed by the city of Manchester (11,843) and the London Borough of Ealing (10,428).[34]

Top 15 Areas (2021/22 Census)[35][36]
Local authority Population Percentage
Hertfordshire 18,747 1.6%
Birmingham 16,964 1.5%
Surrey 14,111 1.2%
Essex 11,861 0.8%
Glasgow 11,130 1.8%
Kent 10,850 0.7%
Edinburgh 10,326 2.0%
Manchester 9,442 1.7%
Brent, London 9,314 2.7%
Ealing, London 8,511 2.3%
Wandsworth, London 8,061 2.5%
Hampshire 7,760 0.6%
Barnet, London 7,644 2.0%
Islington, London 7,062 3.3%
Oxfordshire 6,906 1.0%

Birthplace

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In England, about 81 per cent of those born in the Republic of Ireland, at the time of the 2011 census, identified as White Irish. Contrastingly, of those born in Northern Ireland, and living in England, 14 per cent considered themselves White Irish. There were around 174,000 English-born people in the White Irish population of England. These individuals may be three of four generations removed from their ancestors who migrated from Ireland.[37]

Religion

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Statistically and nominally, White Irish are more likely to be Christian than other white Britons. According to the 2011 UK Census, White Irish are 80% Christian in England and Wales, mostly Catholic with some Anglican or other Christian. The percentage of White Irish who are Christians is lower in Scotland, at around 78%, mainly Catholic with some Presbyterian, especially Church of Scotland, and other Christian.[38][39] In Northern Ireland, however, White Irish is counted simply as White, so the exact number of Christians there who are White Irish is truly unknown.

Percentages and numbers

Religion England and Wales[38] Scotland[39]
Christianity 80.14% (425,612) 77.61% (41,981)
No religion 11.07% (58,798) 16.07% (8,690)
Judaism 0.21% (1,134) 0.04% (20)
Islam 0.36% (1,914) 0.11% (61)
Buddhism 0.29% (1,516) 0.23% (124)
Hinduism 0.05% (275) 0.02% (13)
Sikhism 0.03% (152) 0.01% (7)
Not Stated 7.46% (39,631) 5.53% (2,989)
Other religions 0.39% (2,055) 0.38% (205)
Total 100% (531,087) 100% (54,090)

Society

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Education

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In 2020 research, the White Irish ethnic group showed the largest Progress 8 benchmark performance gap between those eligible for free school meals and those not.[40]

Economics

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Since 2012, the White Irish ethnic group have held the highest pay amongst all ethnic groups in the UK. In 2019, the median hourly pay was £17.55 per hour, 40.5% higher than the White British.[41] In 2022, the median hourly pay rose to £20.20, 40.1% higher than the White British.[42]

Social and health issues

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Health

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A 2009 study published in Ethnicity & Health demonstrated that the grouping self-reported higher rates of poor general health than the White British populace. This was found to be particularly the case in Northern Ireland, for those who had designated themselves as White, and with an "Irish" national identity.[43] In 2020, a UCL study based in NHS England data, showed that the White Irish group was around 50 per cent less at risk of death from COVID-19 than other black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) groups. This was significantly lower than the White British group, which were 12 per cent lower than the average risk for BAME communities.[44]

Identity

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In 2015 research, University of Southampton fellow Dr Rosalind Willis explored the social fragility of the White Irish ethnicity, particularly in England where distinctions between White British and White Irish are, at times, openly denied.[45]

In July 2019, the East Ham constituency Labour branch was criticised for its election of a white Irish woman as the women’s officer for its Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) forum. The woman in question self-identified as being an ethnic minority and no objections within the branch were raised against her election. Branch secretary, Syed Taqi Shah commented that "if somebody self-declares [as BAME], and the Labour Party allows them to do so, they should be respected."[46][47]

Police discrimination

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In a 1995 study, sociologist Jock Young found that of 1000 randomly selected residents of Finsbury Park when were asked if they had been stopped by the police over the past year, the White Irish population was disproportionately large with 14.3%, in contrast to 12.8% of Black Caribbean and 5.8% of White British people. The researchers found the Police tactic of 'lurking and larking', whereby constables would wait outside Irish pubs and clubs to make arrests to be to blame for the high statistics, which was labelled a form of 'institutional racism'.[48][49]

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ Including Buddhism (0.3%), Islam (0.3%), Judaism (0.2%), Hinduism (0.04%) and Sikhism (0.01%)
  2. ^ Scotland held its census a year later after the rest of the United Kingdom due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, data shown is for 2022 as opposed to 2021.
  1. ^ Not to be confused with United Kingdom, excludes Northern Ireland
  2. ^ Northern Ireland (including all White people reporting at least Irish or Irish with one of more additional national identities)
  3. ^ The 2021 Census in Northern Ireland does not provide a separate group for White Irish.[4]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Ethnic group, England and Wales: Census 2021". Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 29 November 2022.
  2. ^ 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' > 'Ethnic Group'
  3. ^ "2011 Census: Ethnic group, local authorities in the United Kingdom". Office for National Statistics. 11 October 2013. Archived from the original on 21 October 2013. Retrieved 28 February 2015.
  4. ^ a b "MS-B01: Ethnic group". Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency. 22 September 2022. Retrieved 7 January 2023.
  5. ^ "RM031 Ethnic group by religion". Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 28 March 2023.
  6. ^ "Population of England and Wales". www.ethnicity-facts-figures.service.gov.uk. 22 December 2022. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
  7. ^ a b "2011 Census - Key Statistics for Northern Ireland". Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency. 11 January 2017.
  8. ^ "Table DC2206NI: National identity (classification 1) by ethnic group". Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency. Retrieved 25 October 2016.
  9. ^ 2011 Census: Ethnic group, local authorities in England and Wales, Accessed 13 June 2014
  10. ^ Table 2 - Ethnic groups, Scotland, 2001 and 2011 Scotland's Censuses published 30 September 2013, Accessed 13 June 2014.
  11. ^ National Identity (Classification 1) by Ethnic Group DC2206NI (administrative geographies), Accessed 13 June 2014
  12. ^ 2011-2001 Census questionnaire comparability, Office for National Statistics, Accessed 28 December 2012
  13. ^ Census 2011 Wales Household Questionnaire 2011, Accessed 28 December 2012
  14. ^ Scotland's Census 2011 Household Questionnaire 2011 Archived 19 November 2012 at the Wayback Machine, Accessed 28 December 2012
  15. ^ NISRA 2011 census Questionnaire, Accessed 28 December 2012
  16. ^ "Diversity Guide – Race/Ethnicity". Devon County Council. 9 May 2019.
  17. ^ "RaceEvidence of health inequalities affecting black and minority ethnic people" (PDF). Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Similar patterns emerge from a question regarding Emergency Departments. For example, other than White Irish patients, all ethnic minority patientswere less likely to give a positive response to the question "Overall, did you feel you were treated with respect and dignity while you were in the Emergency Department?".
  18. ^ "Ethnicity Codes" (PDF). Kirklees Council.
  19. ^ "Ethnic group - England and Wales regions". Office for National Statistics. 29 November 2022. Retrieved 30 November 2022.
  20. ^ 2021/22: England and Wales,[19] Scotland,[2] and Northern Ireland[4]
  21. ^ "QS201EW: Ethnic Group". Nomis: Official Census and Labour Market Statistics. Retrieved 30 January 2013.
  22. ^ United Kingdom census (2011). "Table KS201SC - Ethnic group" (PDF). National Records of Scotland. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 July 2018.
  23. ^ "Northern Ireland Neighbourhood Information Service". Retrieved 22 July 2014.
  24. ^ 2011: England and Wales,[21] Scotland,[22] and Northern Ireland[23]
  25. ^ "KS006: Ethnic group". Nomis: Official Census and Labour Market Statistics. Retrieved 30 June 2003.
  26. ^ "Analysis of Ethnicity in the 2001 Census - Summary Report". Retrieved 6 September 2014.
  27. ^ "Northern Ireland Neighbourhood Information Service". Retrieved 22 July 2014.
  28. ^ 2001: England and Wales,[25] Scotland,[26] and Northern Ireland[27]
  29. ^ "Country of birth (extended) and ethnic group". Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 28 March 2023.
  30. ^ "Ethnic group and year of arrival in the uk - Office for National Statistics". www.ons.gov.uk. Retrieved 8 July 2023.
  31. ^ "Ethnic group - Office for National Statistics". www.ons.gov.uk. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
  32. ^ Stephen Jivraj (December 2012). "How has ethnic diversity grown 1991-2001-2011?". Dynamics of Diversity: Evidence From The 2011 Census (PDF). Centre on Dynamics of Ethnicity: Joseph Rowntree Foundation. p. 1. The White British population, measured separately for the first time in 2001, declined by 1% between 2001 and 2011, whereas the White Irish population decreased by 18%.
  33. ^ "Ethnicity". Oxford City Council. Ethnic diversity increased between 2001 and 2011. The number of people from all ethnic groups increased, with the exception of people in the White British and White Irish ethnic groups.
  34. ^ a b c d National Identity (Classification 1) by Ethnic Group DC2206NI (administrative geographies), Accessed 13 June 2020
  35. ^ "TS021 - Ethnic group". Nomis: Official Census and Labour Market Statistics. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  36. ^ "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' > 'Local Authority (CA2019)' > 'Ethnic group, national identity, language and religion' > 'Ethnic Group'
  37. ^ Sinead O'Carroll (8 November 2014). "The Irish in England: How they view their ethnicity and nationality". TheJournal.ie.
  38. ^ a b "DC2201EW - Ethnic group and religion" (Spreadsheet). ONS. 15 September 2015. Size: 21 Kb.
  39. ^ a b Scotland's Census 2011, Table DC2201SC - Ethnic group by religion (Spreadsheet), National Records of Scotland{{citation}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  40. ^ "Child poverty and education outcomes by ethnicity". Office for National Statistics. February 2020. The White Irish ethnic group had the biggest gap between the average Progress 8 scores of FSM-eligible pupils (negative 0.51) and those not eligible (0.23).
  41. ^ "Ethnicity pay gaps - Office for National Statistics". www.ons.gov.uk. 12 October 2020. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
  42. ^ "Ethnicity pay gaps, UK: 2012 to 2022". Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
  43. ^ Marie Clucas (December 2009). "The Irish health disadvantage in England: contribution of structure and identity components of Irish ethnicity". Ethnicity & Health. Taylor & Francis. pp. 553–73. Results: When compared to the white British reference population, the self-reported 'white Irish' population overall, the Irish born in Northern Ireland, and UK-born Irish, show a significantly increased risk of both self-reported poor general health and limiting long-term illness.
  44. ^ Colin Gleeson (7 May 2020). "White Irish in England half as likely to die from Covid-19 than minorities". Irish Times.
  45. ^ Rosalind Willis (September 2016). "The fragility of "white Irish" as a minority ethnic identity in England". Ethnic and Racial Studies. Taylor & Francis. pp. 1681–1699. Through the use of fieldnotes and interview extracts, I discuss how I became aware that my ethnic identity was not always recognized by participants, and in some cases the distinction between white Irish and white British was denied.
  46. ^ White, Nadine (11 July 2019). "A White Woman Has Been Elected To Run A Labour Forum For BAME People". HuffPost UK. London. Archived from the original on 3 May 2024. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  47. ^ King, Jon (10 July 2019). "Race row erupts after a white Irishwoman is picked to represent BAME females in East Ham Labour". Newham Recorder. Barking: Archant. Archived from the original on 3 May 2024. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  48. ^ Young, Jock (1995). Policing the Streets (PDF). London: Islington Council. pp. 1–2, 38. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
  49. ^ Walter, Bronwen (18 June 1999). "Criminal justice and policing experience". The Irish Community in Britain - diversity, disadvantage and discrimination. Cambridge: Anglia Polytechnic University. Archived from the original on 17 March 2021. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
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