Muslim population almost doubles in England, Wales

The proportion of children also is much higher than the general population, with on in three Muslims under 15 years, compared with fewer than one in five overall. There are also fewer elderly Muslims, with 4 percent aged over 65, compared with 16 percent of the overall population, The Guardian reported, based on an analysis of the 2011 census by the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB).

The total Muslim population in the two countries had grown to 2.71 million in 2011, up from 1.55 million a decade earlier.

However, Muslims remain a small minority, at only 5 percent of the total population. This contrasts with popular perceptions held by Britons, who overstate the proportion of Muslims in the country by a factor of four, according to a recent survey by Ipsos Mori, The Guardian said.

The proportion from the Middle East is even smaller, with two-thirds of Muslims in the countries being ethnically Asian and 8 percent white, the MCB said.

Half the Muslims in England and Wales were born there and almost three-quarters (73 percent) identify themselves as British.

The MCB analysis, which aims to provide a comprehensive picture of Muslim demographics in England and Wales, is the first of its kind to look at Muslims from a data perspective.

It shows 80 percent of Muslims live in inner-city areas of Greater London, the West Midlands, the north-west and Yorkshire and the Humber.

However, they make up 20 percent or more of the electorate in 26 constituencies, showing their growing influence among voters.

Responding to the report, deputy prime minister Nick Clegg said it would help governments and Muslim civil society to improve the lot of British Muslims.

“Drawing on analysis like this, together we can help create jobs, drive growth and enable more people to get on – building the stronger economy and fairer society we want for Britain’s future,” he was quoted as saying.