[Edit] Ethnic groups

Main article: Ethnic groups in London

According to the Office for National Statistics based on 2006 estimates, 58.0% of the 7.5 million inhabitants of London were classed as the indigenous White British, 2.5% were White Irish and 8.9% were classified as "Other White" - the majority of whom are Greeks, Italians and Germans. Some 13.1% of people are of South Asian descent, the largest are Indians (6.5%), then Bangladeshis (2.3%), Pakistanis (2.3%), and 2% "Other Asian" (mostly Sri Lankan (Tamil) and others). 10.7% of people are Black (around 5% are Black African, 5% as Black Caribbean, 0.7% as "Other Black"). 3.5% are of mixed race; 1.5% are Chinese; and 1.5% of people belong to another ethnic group. 30% of inhabitants were born outside the European Union. The Irish born, from both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, number approximately 250,000 and are the largest group born outside of Great Britain.^[93]

In January 2005, a survey of London's ethnic and religious diversity claimed that there were more than 300 languages spoken and more than 50 non-indigenous communities which have a population of more than 10,000 in London.^[94] Figures from the Office for National Statistics show that, as of 2006, London's foreign-born population is 2,288,000 (31%), up from 1,630,000 in 1997.^[95] The 2001 census showed that 27.1% of Greater London's population were born outside the UK, and a slightly higher proportion were classed as non-white.^[96] As of 2008, 40% of London's total population was from an ethnic minority group.^[97] Across London, Black and Asian children outnumber White British children by about six to four.^[98]

The table to the right shows the 'Country of Birth' of London residents in 2001, the date of the last UK Census. (Top 21).^[89] Note that a portion of the German-born population are likely to be British nationals born to parents serving in the British Armed Forces in Germany.^[99]

[Edit] Religion

See also: List of churches and cathedrals of London

Westminster Abbey is one of London's oldest and most important buildings and a World Heritage Site.

The majority of Londoners - 58.2% - identify themselves as Christians.^[100] This is followed by those of no religion (15.8%), Muslims (8.5%), Hindus (4.1%), Jews (2.1%), Sikhs (1.5%), Buddhists (0.8%), Pagans/Wiccans (0.3%) and other (0.2%), though 8.7% of people did not answer this question in the 2001 Census.^[100]

London has traditionally been dominated by Christianity, and has a large number of churches, particularly in the City of London. The well-known St Paul's Cathedral in the City and Southwark Cathedral south of the river are Anglican administrative centres,^[101] while the Archbishop of Canterbury, principal bishop of the Church of England and worldwide Anglican Communion, has his main residence at Lambeth Palace in the London Borough of Lambeth.^[102] Important national and royal ceremonies are shared between St Paul's and Westminster Abbey.^[103] The Abbey is not to be confused with nearby Westminster Cathedral, which is the largest Roman Catholic cathedral in England and Wales.^[104] Despite the prevalence of Anglican churches, observance is very low within the Anglican denomination, although church attendance, particularly at evangelical Anglican churches in London, has started to increase.^[105]

London is also home to sizeable Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, and Jewish communities. Many Muslims live in Tower Hamlets and Newham; the most important Muslim edifice is London Central Mosque on the edge of Regent's Park.^[106] London's large Hindu community is found in the north-western boroughs of Harrow and Brent, the latter of which is home to one of Europe's largest Hindu temples, Neasden Temple.^[107] Sikh communities are located in East and West London, which is also home to the largest Sikh temple in the world outside India.^[108] The majority of British Jews live in London, with significant Jewish communities in Stamford Hill, Stanmore, Golders Green, Hendon, and Edgware in North London.^[109] Stanmore and Canons Park Synagogue has the largest membership of any single Orthodox synagogue in the whole of Europe, overtaking Ilford synagogue (also in London) in 1998.^[110] The community set up the London Jewish Forum in 2007 in response to the growing significance of devolved London Government.^[111]