What is the evidence of racial inequality?
There is evidence of racial inequality in the UK.
People from ethnic minority groups experience inequality in many areas of life including:
- employment
- income
- wealth
- poverty rates
How does race impact employment?
From October to December 2022, the unemployment rate among people from a White ethnic background was 3.1%, compared with 7.5% of people from minority ethnic backgrounds. Higher rates of unemployment for people from minority ethnic groups has been the case for many years, particularly among those aged 16 to 24 years. (Source: House of Commons Library)
How does race impact income?
Most minority ethnic groups have an income of less than the majority White ethnic income group. According to official UK Government statistics, 54% of Black households in the UK in 2020-21, had an income of less than £600 per week. This compares to the majority White ethnic group which had only 46% of households with an income of less than £600 per week. However, only 32% of Indian households had an income of less than £600 per week. Overall, people from the Black, Bangladeshi and Pakistani ethnic groups had the lowest household incomes. (Source: GOV.uk)
Learn more about how race and other factors impacts income and wealth inequality.
Wealth
Although there is less data available to draw firm conclusions, the ONS found in 2016-2018 that the median total wealth per household in Great Britain was around £287,000. ONS reported that only White ethnic group and Indian ethnic group had higher median wealth than the average for Great Britain. The Black ethnic group had the lowest median total wealth at only £34,400.
Poverty rates
Poverty rates are higher among most ethnic minority groups compared to the majority White group in the UK. The Joeseph Rowntree Foundation reported in 2023 that around half of Bangladeshi households and four in ten Pakistani or Black households were in poverty, compared to only around 20% of White households in years 2020/21.
In respect of child poverty rates, statistics provided from the House of Commons Library found 62% of Bangladeshi, 59% of Pakistani and 53% of Black children in the UK were living in poverty (AHC - After Housing Costs). This compares to 25% of White children who were living in poverty (AHC).
The bigger picture
In a report from the Centre for Social Justice in 2020, it was highlighted that although Britain was arguably one of the most successful multi-ethnic democracies in the world, it was undeniable that there remains some unjustifiable disparities between some of Britain’s ethnic groups
. The report also argued that it was important to look at the reasons why some ethnic groups do better (Indians) than the national average, in areas such as educational attainment, while others (Caribbeans) do less well. (Source: The Centre of Social Justice)
