Ethnicity is a complex and multifaceted concept, particularly when it comes to official classifications and data collection. In the United Kingdom, understanding “What Ethnicity” means navigating a landscape shaped by census requirements, governmental standards, and evolving societal perceptions. This article delves into the ethnic groups recognized in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, exploring how these classifications are chosen, why they matter, and the nuances within each category.
Defining Ethnic Groups in the UK Census
The most widely recognized framework for understanding ethnicity in the UK stems from the Census, a nationwide survey conducted every ten years by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) for England and Wales, and separate bodies for Scotland and Northern Ireland. These censuses aim to capture a snapshot of the population, and ethnicity is a crucial component for understanding the UK’s diverse communities.
The 2021 Census for England and Wales, for instance, presented a detailed list of ethnic groups, building upon previous iterations. Key updates in 2021 included the addition of the ‘Roma’ group under the ‘White’ ethnic category and a free-text option for the ‘Black African’ group, allowing for more specific self-identification.
The ethnic categories used in the 2021 Census were structured as follows:
Asian or Asian British
This category encompasses individuals with origins in Asian countries. Subgroups listed include:
- Indian
- Pakistani
- Bangladeshi
- Chinese
- Any other Asian background
Black, Black British, Caribbean or African
This broad category includes people of Black heritage. Subgroups include:
- Caribbean
- African
- Any other Black, Black British, or Caribbean background
Mixed or Multiple Ethnic Groups
This category recognizes individuals with parents from different ethnic backgrounds:
- White and Black Caribbean
- White and Black African
- White and Asian
- Any other Mixed or multiple ethnic background
White
The White category includes a range of European and other backgrounds:
- English, Welsh, Scottish, Northern Irish or British
- Irish
- Gypsy or Irish Traveller
- Roma
- Any other White background
In Wales, it’s important to note that ‘Welsh’ is prioritized as the first option within the White category, reflecting the national identity of Wales.
Other Ethnic Group
This category serves as a catch-all for ethnicities not explicitly listed above:
- Arab
- Any other ethnic group
The Deliberate Process Behind Ethnic Group Selection
The ONS doesn’t arbitrarily decide on these ethnic groups. The selection process for the Census is a consultative one, involving key stakeholders:
- Census Data Users: Government departments, local authorities, and the National Health Service (NHS) rely on census ethnicity data for policy making, resource allocation, and service planning. Their needs are a primary consideration.
- Census Respondents and Interest Groups: Feedback from the public and organizations representing different ethnic communities is vital to ensure the categories are relevant and respectful.
- Census Authorities in Northern Ireland and Scotland: Collaboration ensures a degree of consistency across the UK, although each region has its specific classifications.
It’s crucial to understand that these ethnic groups are statistical categories and may not perfectly align with everyone’s individual sense of identity. The Census encourages individuals who do not see their ethnicity reflected in the provided list to write in their own description, allowing for a more nuanced and personal response. The inclusion of an ethnicity question in the Census dates back to 1991, with updates implemented in each subsequent census to reflect evolving demographics and societal understanding. It’s important to remember that ethnicity is distinct from national identity, religion, and language, which are addressed through separate questions in the Census.
Departures from Standardized Classifications
While the Census provides a standard, the Government Statistical Service (GSS) maintains a harmonised standard for ethnicity classification to promote consistency across government data collection. Ideally, the harmonised standard and the Census classifications align closely. However, deviations do occur. The harmonised standard is periodically reviewed and currently references the 2011 Census categories.
Various reasons account for why some departments and organizations might deviate from the standardized list:
- Specific Data Needs: An organization might require detailed data on certain ethnic groups but not others, leading to a more tailored classification.
- Historical Data Consistency: Maintaining consistency with previously collected data, which might have used different ethnic groups, can be a priority for trend analysis.
- Statistical Reliability and Anonymity: In surveys with smaller sample sizes, some ethnic groups may need to be combined to ensure statistical reliability and to protect the anonymity of individuals within small groups.
The dashboard of ethnic categories on the Ethnicity facts and figures website illustrates the diversity of ethnicity classifications used across different datasets, highlighting that approximately 20 different classifications are in use.
Regional Variations: Scotland and Northern Ireland
It is essential to recognize that ethnicity classifications are not uniform across the UK. Scotland and Northern Ireland employ their own distinct census questionnaires and ethnic group categories, reflecting their unique demographic compositions and histories.
Northern Ireland’s Approach
The 2021 Census in Northern Ireland presented respondents with a different set of ethnic groups:
- Black African
- Black Other
- Chinese
- Filipino
- Indian
- Irish Traveller
- Mixed ethnic group
- Roma
- White
- Any other ethnic group
Scotland’s Classification
Scotland’s Census, conducted in 2022, also utilized a distinct set of categories:
Asian, Scottish Asian or British Asian
- Pakistani, Scottish Pakistani or British Pakistani
- Indian, Scottish Indian or British Indian
- Bangladeshi, Scottish Bangladeshi or British Bangladeshi
- Chinese, Scottish Chinese or British Chinese
- Other
African, Scottish African or British African
- Respondents are asked to write in their specific ethnic group.
Caribbean or Black
- Respondents are asked to write in their specific ethnic group.
Mixed or multiple ethnic group
- Respondents are asked to write in their specific ethnic group.
White
- Scottish
- Other British
- Irish
- Polish
- Gypsy or Traveller
- Roma
- Showman or Showwoman
- Other
Other ethnic group
- Arab, Scottish Arab or British Arab
- Other (examples provided: Sikh, Jewish)
Harmonizing Data Across the UK
For analyses requiring UK-wide data, the GSS harmonised categories offer a solution. These harmonised classifications, based on the 2011 Censuses, provide a common framework for combining data from England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, enabling consistent reporting and comparison across the nations.
Historical Context: 2011 and 2001 Censuses
Understanding the evolution of ethnicity classifications requires looking back at previous censuses.
2011 Census Changes
The 2011 Census in England and Wales saw notable changes from the 2001 Census:
- The ‘Chinese’ ethnic group was moved from the ‘Other’ ethnic group (in 2001) to the ‘Asian’ ethnic group (in 2011), reflecting a shift in how this group was categorized.
- The ‘Gypsy or Irish Traveller’ and ‘Arab’ groups were explicitly listed in 2011, whereas they were not in 2001, indicating increased recognition of these ethnicities.
The ethnic groups used in the 2011 Census were:
Asian or Asian British
- Indian
- Pakistani
- Bangladeshi
- Chinese
- Any other Asian background
Black, African, Caribbean or Black British
- African
- Caribbean
- Any other Black, African or Caribbean background
Mixed or multiple ethnic groups
- White and Black Caribbean
- White and Black African
- White and Asian
- Any other Mixed or multiple ethnic background
White
- English, Welsh, Scottish, Northern Irish or British
- Irish
- Gypsy or Irish Traveller
- Any other White background
Other ethnic group
- Arab
- Any other ethnic group
2001 Census Categories
Some datasets on Ethnicity facts and figures still utilize the ethnic groups from the 2001 Census. These were:
Asian or Asian British
- Indian
- Pakistani
- Bangladeshi
- Any other Asian background
Black or Black British
- Caribbean
- African
- Any other Black background
Mixed
- White and Black Caribbean
- White and Black African
- White and Asian
- Any other Mixed background
White
- British
- Irish
- Any other White background
Chinese or other ethnic group
- Chinese
- Any other
Understanding “what ethnicity” signifies in the UK requires acknowledging the official frameworks used for data collection, primarily through the Census. While these classifications provide valuable insights into the UK’s diverse population, they are constantly evolving and are not without limitations. Recognizing the nuances and regional variations in ethnicity classifications is crucial for accurate interpretation and responsible use of ethnicity data.
