Demography of Liverpool

The largest and most significant non-English ethnic and national groups in Liverpool are listed in alphabetical order below.

Afro-Caribbeans

Afro-Caribbeans participants in Liverpool's Sunshine Arts Carnival

Historically, and even today, the Afro-Caribbean population of Liverpool has been largely outnumbered by Black Africans. In 2009, just under 5,000 Liverpudlians were of Afro-Caribbean origin (most of these being of mixed White and Black origins).[21] This is compared to the 6,900 plus individuals of full or partial Black African origin in the city.[21] The International Organization for Migration estimates that Liverpool is home to between 1,000 and 2,000 Jamaicans, with the vast majority of these residing in Toxteth and Granby.[22] Some Black Africans in Liverpool can trace their ancestry back to the city's links with the slave trade, whilst Afro-Caribbeans are a fairly recent and emerging ethnic group.[23] By far the largest wave of Afro-Caribbean immigrants to the UK occurred in the 1940s and 1950s, when the British government encouraged people to come over and help contribute to the economy by taking up empty job vacancies. Despite being a relatively small community, Afro-Caribbeans have made a significant contribution to the history and culture of the city. There are numerous Afro-Caribbean-owned businesses and community centres in and around Toxteth and the Smithdown Road area.

Chinese

Chinatown, Liverpool

Liverpool is home to the oldest Chinese community in Europe.[10] According to 2009 estimates, 1.1% of Liverpool's population are of Chinese ethnicity (some 5,000 people).[24] Despite this, the IOM has estimated that the true number of Chinese people in Liverpool could range between 25,000 and 35,000.[25] The first presence of Chinese people in Liverpool dated back to the early 19th century, with the main influx arriving at the end of the 19th century. This was in part due to Alfred Holt and Company establishing the first commercial shipping line to focus on the China trade. From the 1890s onwards, small numbers of Chinese began to set up businesses catering to the Chinese sailors working on Holt's lines and others. Some of these men married working class British women, resulting in a number of British-born Eurasian Chinese being born during World War II in Liverpool.[26] Although the Chinese population in Liverpool is much smaller than it was mid-20th century, the city's Chinatown district has spread significantly since its first establishment, now taking up much of Berry Street. The 2001 census showed 1,542 Liverpudlians were born in the People's Republic of China and 1,228 in Hong Kong.[27] Liverpool has been twinned with China's largest city, Shanghai since 1999.[28]

Ghanaians

There is a strong presence of Ghanaians in Liverpool, with an estimated 9,000 individuals originating in the African nation living in the city.[29] Liverpool is a stronghold for overseas Ghanaian students; significant numbers study at the city's three universities, particularly Hope University. Hope works alongside the Ghanaian High Commission and has set up the 'High Value Scholarship for Ghana', which alongside the university's other scholarships has helped draw a large number of potential students from the African nation.[30]

Greeks

Greek Orthodox Church of St Nicholas, Toxteth

The Liverpool Greek community dates back over 180 years, and a group named the Liverpool Greek Society was established in 1996.[31] The first large wave of Greeks to the city occurred in 1821 after massacres of Greeks by Turkish invaders on the island of Chios. Significant numbers also came to work for the Ralli Brothers, who recruited 40,000 Greeks in cities worldwide including New York City, Geneva and Liverpool.[31] The Greek Orthodox Church of St Nicholas in Toxteth was built in 1870 and serves the local Greek community. There are estimated to be 2,500 Greek Cypriots in the Merseyside area,[32] whilst 3,000 Greeks are estimated to live to the west of the River Mersey in the Wirral area, Chester and North Wales.[33]

Irish

Following the start of the Great Irish Famine, two million Irish people migrated to Liverpool in the space of one decade, many of them subsequently departing for the United States.[34] By 1851, more than 20% of the population of Liverpool was Irish.[35] At the 2001 Census, 0.75% of the population were born in the Republic of Ireland, while 0.54% were born in Northern Ireland,[36] but up to 50% of Liverpudlians are thought to have some form of Irish ancestry.

Italians

Significant numbers of Italians first arrived in Liverpool in the 19th century. The main reason for Italians coming to the city was to embark on a journey from the port of Liverpool to the 'New World' in hope of a better life than in their native Italy.[37] Despite this many failed to complete the journey and actually remained in Liverpool, the largest numbers settling on and around Scotland Road, which soon became nicknamed 'Little Italy'.[37] Currently, some 3,000 Italians reside in Liverpool, although little over 200 were actually born in Italy.[38][39] There is an Italian Consulate located on the west side of the Mersey in Birkenhead adjacent to the Queensway Tunnel.[40]

Latin Americans

Brazilica Festival in Williamson Square in 2012

Liverpool and the surrounding urban area is home to UK's largest Latin American community outside London.[41][42] Although significant migration from Latin America to the United Kingdom only began in the 1970s, at a time of much political turmoil and civil unrest in Latin America, Liverpool's Latin American community has seen a large increase in size during the mid-2000s.[41] The majority of these people originate from Bolivia, Colombia, Brazil and Peru.[41] Liverpool City Council and other local services offer information and help in Spanish and Portuguese due to the city's large Latin American population.[43] The University of Liverpool is one of the few educational facilities in the country that teaches Latin American studies.[44] Amongst the most famous Latin Americans in Liverpool are the numerous expatriate footballers who play for the city's professional football clubs. Liverpool F.C.'s current first team includes three Brazilians.[45] Liverpool has friendship links with Havana, Cuba, La Plata, Argentina and Valparaiso, Chile.[28] Brazilica Festival is the UK's largest celebration of Brazilian culture and has been held annually in Liverpool since 2008.[46]

Malaysians

The IOM has stated that around 9,000 Malaysians live in the city which makes it one of the largest such communities in the country.[47] They are the second largest East Asian group in Liverpool. There are also an estimated 1,500 Vietnamese residing in the city.[48]

Somalis

Somalis number in the thousands in Liverpool, and are one of the city's longest established ethnic minority groups. According to the 2001 census, 678 Somali-born individuals were living in Liverpool,[49] but unofficial estimates place the figure between 4,000 and 9,000 inhabitants.[50][51] While many Somalis arrived in Liverpool seeking asylum after the outbreak of the Somali Civil War in 1991, there has been a presence of Somalis in the city since the 19th century, when many came to Liverpool to work for the British Navy,[51] often by way of the former British Somaliland protectorate.[51] Today, Liverpool City Council and local services offer information and help in the Somali language (this is alongside information in English and 15 other common languages in Liverpool).[43] The majority of Liverpool's Somali community reside in Toxteth, where there are numerous Somali-run businesses and community groups. In 2004, a local social worker, Mohamed "Jimmy" Ali, became the UK's first Somali councillor, although he has since lost his seat.[52]

South Asians

Some of the first Indians to permanently settle in Liverpool

Like most British cities, Liverpool has a strong presence of South Asians. 2007 estimates put the number of people of Indian origin in the city at 6,700, Pakistanis at 3,200, Bangladeshis at 1,100. Some 2,000 people belonged to other South Asian groups whilst a further 2,000 individuals were of mixed South Asian and European origin.[21] Bengali and Urdu are amongst the most common foreign languages spoken in Liverpool.[43] The South Asian population of Liverpool is one of the city's fastest growing ethnic groups; in 2001 some 5,000 South Asians were residing in the city (1.1% of the local population). Over the next eight years, the community more than doubled in size to 13,000 (3% of the local population, which is actually much lower than England's average of 6%).[21]

The Indian presence in Liverpool dates back to 1860s, although these people only tended to be sailors and tradesmen.[53] However, around 1910 a group of Indian males from the Punjab region of India moved to Liverpool and established the city's first fixed community. During World War I, many more came to Liverpool to look for work while numerous more came to the city after India was granted independence in 1947.[53] Two other significant waves of Indians to the city occurred when India was split into two separate countries (the other now known as Pakistan), the mass exodus of Indians from Kenya in the 1970s further added to Liverpool's long established South Asian community.[54] Historically, the first place Indians and fellow South Asians looked for work were the docks of Liverpool. It was a hard living with little pay and the fact that they spoke little to no English made it even harder.[53] They were proud people and working in oppressive conditions for people who were considered 'higher up', leading to many ending their jobs at the docks and seeking work elsewhere.[53] Eventually, large numbers of Indians in Liverpool set up their own businesses. Many began to work for themselves as street peddlers, entertainers and fortune tellers. The hours were long, but being their own boss appealed to many South Asians (a thought which is still maintained to this day).[53]

Welsh

In 1813, 10% of Liverpool's population was Welsh, leading to the city becoming known as "the capital of North Wales".[11][55] 120,000 Welsh people migrated from Wales to Liverpool between 1851 and 1911.[56] At the 2001 Census, 1.17% of the population were Welsh-born.[36]

Old Welsh Chapel, Chatham Street, Liverpool. Now part of the University of Liverpool.

There are a number of people who use the Welsh language as their first language in Liverpool.

Yemenis

Liverpool, like several other port cities (such as South Shields, Cardiff and Kingston upon Hull), has had a strong presence of Yemeni people for centuries.[57] After the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869, an increase of trade between Britain and the Far East meant that more men had to be recruited to work in ports and on ships.[57] Aden in Yemen was the main refuelling point for the vast majority of ships sailing this route, which led to many locals taking up jobs in the field. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries many of these seamen moved ashore and set up home in the likes of Liverpool.[57] Yemenis (who are most likely Liverpool's largest Arab group) alongside Somalis are the two largest Muslim groups in the city and worship at Liverpool's three main mosques (including the Al-Rahma mosque).[58] It is unknown exactly how many Yemenis and people of Yemeni descent live in Liverpool, due to the fact that Yemeni ethnic/national origin couldn't be stated in the 2001 census. Despite this, the 'Arab' ethnic option was added to the 2011 UK Census.[59] Many Yemenis in the city are noted for running newsagents and corner shops, the number of which is estimated to be approximately 400 in 2008.[60]

Zimbabweans

People originating in Zimbabwe are another large Black African group in Liverpool; they are thought to number no fewer than 3,000.[61]

Due to thousands of migrants and sailors passing through Liverpool over the centuries, the city now has a religious diversity which is reflected in its equally diverse collection of religious buildings. At the time of the 2001 census, 79.5% of the city's population were Christian, 1.4% were Muslim, 0.6% were Jewish, 0.3% were Buddhist, 0.3% were Hindu, and 0.1% were Sikh. Just over 0.1% of individuals collectively belonged to other faiths whilst 9.7% claimed to be non-religious and 8.1% opted not to reveal their religion.[63]

Census data

Per the above table, note that the census question regarding religion was first asked in 2001 and response is voluntary.

The parish church of Liverpool is the Church of Our Lady and Saint Nicholas, an Anglican church which has existed near the waterfront since 1257. Though it is Anglican, it regularly plays host to Catholic masses. Other notable Christian places of worship include the Church of St Nicholas (Greek Orthodox) and the Gustav Adolf Church (Lutheranism). The Church of St Luke was bombed by the Nazis in the Liverpool Blitz during World War II and has been abandoned ever since, though it has become a noted tourist attraction as its damage was never fixed and the roof is still missing entirely, earning it the local nickname of the "bombed-out church".[67]

Liverpool's wealth as a port city enabled the construction of two enormous cathedrals, both dating from the 20th century. The Anglican Cathedral, which was designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott and plays host to the annual Liverpool Shakespeare Festival, is the fifth largest cathedral in the world. The Catholic Metropolitan Cathedral was initially planned to be even larger. Designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, only the crypt was completed. The cathedral was eventually built to a simpler design by Sir Frederick Gibberd; while this is on a smaller scale than Lutyens' original design, it boasts the largest panel of stained glass in the world. The road running between the two cathedrals is called Hope Street, a coincidence which is often commented on positively by both Anglicans and Catholics.

Liverpool had one of the earliest mosques in Britain, founded in 1887 by William Abdullah Quilliam, a lawyer who had converted to Islam. This mosque, which was also the first in England, no longer exists.[68] Plans have been ongoing to re-convert the building where the mosque once stood into a museum.[69] Currently, there are four mosques in Liverpool: the largest and main one, Al-Rahma Mosque, in the Toxteth area of the city and a mosque recently opened in the Mossley Hill suburb. The third mosque was also opened in Toxteth. Multimillion-pound plans to refurbish and restore the city's first mosque were revealed in January 2010.[70] In 2018, the Bait-ul-Lateef Mosque opened on Breck Road in Everton, owned by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association of Liverpool, making it the fourth mosque to be currently operating in the city.

Records of Liverpool's Jewish community date back to the 1750s,[71] and it became the largest Jewish community in northern England during the 1800s.[72] It is believed that Jewish refugees were welcomed and accepted much more easily than in most other English cities, prompting them to encourage their descendants to remain in the city for generations.[72] The Jewish population reached up to 11,000 in the past, but this dwindled due to the common practice of moving elsewhere for work, and the current number is around 3,000.[72] Most Jews reside in the southern areas of the city, primarily in the suburbs of Allerton and Childwall, each of which has its own Orthodox synagogue.[72]

The most notable synagogue is the Orthodox Princes Road Synagogue in the Toxteth district, which is widely considered to be the best of the UK's Moorish Revival synagogues and one of the finest buildings in Liverpool.[73] Consecrated in 1874, its congregation also pioneered the use of the English language in Jewish services.[74] Another Orthodox synagogue, Greenbank Drive Synagogue in the Mossley Hill suburb, operated from 1937 until 2008.[75] The city's Reform Jews congregate at Liverpool Reform Synagogue in the Wavertree district, which was consecrated in 1962,[76] while there is also a Masorti community in the Woolton suburb.[77] Other Jewish institutions include the Lubavitch Foundation in Allerton,[78] King David High School in Wavertree,[79] and the Merseyside Jewish Community Care charity on Smithdown Road.[80]

Notable Liverpudlian Jews include entrepreneur Brian Epstein, who managed the Beatles;[81] actor Jason Isaacs, whose great-grandparents co-founded the Jewish community in Childwall;[82] businessman David Lewis, who founded the Lewis's department store chain and left much money after his death for the construction of what would become some of the city's most important hospitals and philanthropic institutions;[83] Lewis's chairman Harold Cohen, who funded the construction of the University of Liverpool's Harold Cohen Library;[72] and rabbi Isser Yehuda Unterman, who was Chief Rabbi of Liverpool for 22 years before becoming Chief Rabbi of Israel.[84]

The Duldzin Buddhist Centre and Kadampa Meditation Centre is located in the Aigburth suburb and focuses on Kadampa Buddhism.[74]

Liverpool's Hindu community is served by a Mandir on Edge Lane, which also hosts the Radha Krishna Hindu Temple and the Hindu Cultural Organisation.

Liverpool has a gurdwara in the Wavertree district.[74]