Guardian: Almost a tenth of babies and toddlers in England and Wales are Muslim, declared the Times on its front page on Friday, indicating what it describes as a “startling shift” in the demographic trend in England and Wales. So where did the figures come from and are they as revealing as claimed?
The numbers originate from a 2011 census release first published by the Office for National Statistics in May 2013 and in more detail in November as a specially commissioned ad hoc table.
The figures do not calculate birthrate as such, but show that almost a tenth of babies and toddlers (under-fives) in England and Wales are Muslim. Of 3.5 million children up to the age of four in England and Wales recorded in the 2011 census, 317,952 (or 9.1%) were Muslim.
The Times report also states “the percentage of Muslims among the under-fives is almost twice as high as in the general population“. That is correct. According to the census figures, 4.8% of the 56.1 million resident population of England and Wales in 2011 were Muslim, and as stated above 9.1% of all under-fives in the population were Muslim.
In addition, the story points out that fewer than one in 200 over-85s are Muslim – an indication they claim of the “extent to which birthrate is changing the UK’s religious demographic”.
Categories: Europe and Australia
Wonderful news.
Thank God for this amazing news
God may also make them good Muslims.
Just wondered why this is considered to be “wonderful” and “amazing” news? No criticism intended – I’m genuinely interested.
I don’t think any religion should be celebrated over another particularly – I like the fact that this is a predominantly Christian country that is open to other faiths (and I’m not a Christian).
I guess what I’m getting at, is that hailing a rise in the Muslim birth rate could be seen to imply that Islam is superior to the current status quo, and would somehow be an improvement to the nation.
I agree AL ! England is not alone in being so magnificently welcoming. But the truth of the matter is – children are viewed as expensive in the west. And the reality most people in Europe are not church goers any more. Not so much because they aren’t spiritual – but have grown lazy in their affluence – and arrogant for whatever reasons about their superiority. (my observation). Their peoples and tribes had many faiths or none at all…and gradually Christianity spread. Odd the missionaries are in Africa and elsewhere – while the people at home have less interest. Islam is a missionary religion. Is actively spreading it’s views – and has the momentum here. Islam is adjusting and thriving everywhere it goes.Their educated dawaa carriers are like boot prints in concrete. Each generation can view the seeds – as evidence and proof of a past – and add their own contributions. Islam has time on it’s side.
person to person, convert by convert, high birth rates – the future IS Islam. I would rather wear that bootprint (on my soul) and carry the seed – than end up under the boots of the mujahadeen. In history Muslim armies have been the fiercest. The most victorious. We need to learn and know where we fit in – in the coming years…and likely the establishment of Caliphate. This has been the will of Allah from the beginning.