The UK shares a long history with Pakistan and hosts the largest community of Pakistani migrants in Europe. But where do most Pakistanis live in the UK? A huge London diaspora comes first, for sure, but there are several other ethnic areas where the Pakistanis in the UK prefer to settle down. In this article we review the destinations most popular with the Pakistani community in the UK, have a closer look at how it embraces urban life, and share some expat lifestyle tips.
Brief history of the UK migration
Origin of Pakistanis in the UK
‘Little Pakistans’ of the UK
FAQ: Pakistanis in the UK
Brief history of the UK migration
Today, the Pakistanis in the UK form the second-largest diaspora in the country after British Indians. The history of the Pakistani community in the UK goes back to the 17th century, when the first labourers from the region came to serve the British East India Company’s interests.
After Pakistan gained independence in 1947, the population stats showed a massive inflow of Pakistani migrants who helped to revive the post-war British economy. How many Pakistanis lived in the UK back then? In less than 15 years, between 1951 and 1966, the Pakistani population in the UK had increased from 5,000 to almost 120,000. These migration trends resulted in a series of increasingly strict control measures; nevertheless, the highest percentage of arrivals (around 40% of today’s Pakistanis in the UK) was recorded in the 2000s. Many of the latter group had acquired settlement through a family reunification route.
Origin of Pakistanis in the UK
Most British Pakistanis originate from the administrative territory of Azad Kashmir (Mirpuri). Punjabis are the second-largest subgroup (about 33%). Other major ethnicities comprising the Pakistani population in the UK include Pathans (Pashtuns), Sindhis, and Baluchis (Balochs).
How many Pakistanis in the UK identify themselves as British? Almost all of them, but at the same time, they maintain strong ties with their native land and culture, often supporting their loved ones back home.
‘Little Pakistans’ of the UK
So, where do most Pakistanis live in the UK? Let’s have a quick look at the UK 2021 census and the top cities popular with people of Pakistani origin.
The largest Pakistani communities in the UK
| City | Pakistani population |
|---|---|
| Greater London | 290,549 |
| Birmingham | 195,102 |
| Bradford | 139,553 |
| Manchester | 65,875 |
| Kirklees | 54,795 |
These numbers may answer the question of how many Pakistanis live in the UK, but they do not reflect the impact on community life. For example, the largest diaspora in London accounts for less than 3% of the capital’s population, whereas in Bradford in West Yorkshire, roughly every fourth resident belongs to the Pakistani community in the UK.
More for Pakistanis in the UK:
London
The capital city is home to nearly 300,000 people of Pakistani origin, which is the largest Pakistani population in the UK consisting mostly of middle-class professionals working in healthcare, trade, IT, and finance sectors. Overall, around 63% of the Pakistanis in the UK’s capital are employed, including 20% of self-employed. Many prominent Pakistani businessmen, billionaire Anwar Pervez among them, also call London their home, and even the city’s current mayor, Sadiq Khan, was born into a Pakistani family.
London’s ‘mini-Pakistan’ is Green Street filled with various shops, stalls, and Europe's first purpose-built mall for South Asian shopping, East Shopping Centre. It is impressive to see how many Pakistanis in the UK get their favourite brands and products there.
Birmingham
This is the largest Pakistani community of any local authority in England, two-thirds of whom were born in the UK. Most (around 30%) hold Level 4 or above qualifications. Moreover, together with Manchester, it is also one of the main student cities for Pakistanis in the UK as the University of Birmingham has a large number of students of Pakistani origin.
Pakistanis in the UK proudly believe that Birmingham is where the popular Balti dish was created in 1977 by a Pakistani immigrant. The dish holds a protected geographical status by the Birmingham City Council.
Bradford
The city was once known as the ‘wool capital of the world’, and back in the days many Pakistanis in the UK found employment with its robust textile industry. Over time, it has become known as ‘Little Pakistan’, or ‘Bradistan’.
The Pakistani Muslim Association established the first mosque in the city in 1958. Today, there are over 90 mosques, including the largest one in the country.
During the annual South Asian Festival, Bradford turns into a cultural centre for South Asian communities, including Pakistanis in the UK, celebrating their homelands through art, music, and dance.
Another way to celebrate your roots as an expat in the UK is to support your family and friends back in Pakistan, both morally, through calls and visits, and financially. Today, sending money from the UK to Pakistan and other countries in South Asia is super easy if you use Profee. As you licensed online money transfer service, it offers one of the best GBP to PKR exchange rates and delivers the money instantly. As a Profee customer you also have access to many hot deals and can participate in its generous referral programme. To join the community and start saving and earning money, get the iOS/Android app or create an account at this website today.
FAQ: Pakistanis in the UK
Which UK city has the most Pakistanis?
Unsurprisingly, most of the Pakistanis in the UK live in Greater London. The capital is home to almost 300,000 people of Pakistani descent. Other expat hubs include Birmingham (around 200,000), Bradford (140,000), and Manchester (66,000).
Where is Little Pakistan in the UK?
Although it is Pendle that has the largest share of Pakistani population in the UK’s city ranking (25.59%), Bradford, which is close behind with its 25.54%, is usually the one referred to as Little Pakistan. Some other places may also be called so, including the Curry Mile inhabited by Manchester expats or the Alum Rock in Birmingham.
Where does the Pakistani community live in London?
The Pakistanis in the UK’s capital city tend to occupy the neighbourhoods of Outer London, namely the boroughs of Redbridge, Newham, and Waltham Forest, where nearly 40% of the London diaspora resides. Places such as Green Street and Southall in London are known for their high concentration of Pakistani expats.
How many Pakistanis live in the UK?
According to the UK 2021 census, the Pakistani population in the UK is around 1.6 million. The majority live in England and Wales (about 1.5 million).
