This short story uses 2011 census data to explore differences in socio-economic characteristics between UK-born and different non-UK born populations, over time. Data relating to nationality, economic activity, qualifications, occupation, housing tenure, English language proficiency and national identity are analysed and comparisons made by length of residence in the UK.

Key Points

• Half (50% or 3.8 million) of the usually resident foreign-born population in England and Wales in 2011 came to the UK in the ten years prior to the 2011 Census; however, around a quarter had been resident in the UK for over 30 years.
• Almost half (46%) of the total foreign-born population who were resident at the time of the 2011 Census held a UK passport; this increased to more than three quarters (77%) among those who had been resident in the UK for 30 years or more.
• Of the 6 million foreign-born population aged 16 to 64, 63% were in employment, a slightly lower level than the UK-born population (69%). Those born within the rest of the EU were more likely to be in employment (73%) than UK-born or those born outside the EU (59%).
• Among the 11 non-UK countries of birth with the largest numbers in England and Wales in 2011, the highest levels of employment were observed for residents born in Poland (81%) and South Africa (78%).
• Recent arrivals (2007-2011) were more highly qualified than those who had been in the UK for longer, with only 11% reporting no qualifications compared to 32% of those who had lived in the UK for more than 30 years. This is likely to reflect high levels of students among recent arrivals (2007-2011).