University analysis of 2021 Census offers insight into population of Leicester

A University of Leicester report has called for more research to be done on migration, health and ethnicity in Leicester.

The report, developed by The Census@Leicester Project, has analysed data from the most recent census carried out by the Office for National Statistics giving insight into Leicester’s population.

The analysis points to a strong population growth over the last decade in Leicester, driven by migration. On Census Day, 21 March 2021, the population of Leicester rose to 368,572.

According to the report, 42% of Leicester residents were born outside of the UK with 43% of the population arriving in the city between 2011 and 2021. The three most common non-UK countries of birth were India, Poland and Kenya.

A team at University of Leicester, led by Dr Joshua Stuart-Bennett, has recommended that further areas of research are needed to understand why people migrate to Leicester and what support networks are in place within the city for migrants.

The report also recommends more research into the links between health to migration and ethnicity.

Dr Joshua Stuart-Bennett said: “The Census@Leicester Project has provided some fascinating insights into Leicester’s socio-demographic profile. We hope others will continue to work with this data to generate new ideas about how to support and empower our local community”

The full overview of migration, health and ethnicity in Leicester from Census 2021 data can be found in the Census@Leicester report. All data from the project can be found here.