The map above shows the largest self-reported national identity group by share of population for each local authority area of the United Kingdom in the 2011 Census.
The map author goes on to explain that:
Please note that respondents were allowed to select multiple national identities at the census and that as such these identities are interchangeable. For example, 26% of people from East Renfrewshire in Scotland described their national identity as both Scottish and British.
The largest national identity groups for each constituent nation of the United Kingdom were:
- England: 69.5% English; 31.4% British
- Scotland: 82.7% Scottish; 26.7% British
- Wales: 64.6% Welsh; 26.7% British; 12.8% English
- Northern Ireland: 48.4% British; 29.4% Northern Irish; 28.4% Irish
So why isn’t Northern Irish shown on the map? Well that’s because:
‘Northern Irish’ identity actually outnumbers ‘Irish’ in Northern Ireland, however it is more evenly spread throughout the country and is outnumbered by British/Irish identities in all regions.
It tends to be stronger in more moderate parts of Northern Ireland such as Down and North Down, and among more moderate Roman Catholics and atheists/non-religious in particular who don’t actually want to break away from the UK.
Find this map interesting? Please help us by sharing it:
Rogier says
That British spot in the middle of England, is that Leicester? What’s special there that they identify as British?
MJ says
Perhaps due to the large Indian communitiy in Leicester. Identify as British Asian rather than English. Lower English % in London, W.Yorks, G.Manc and W.Mids with large BAME populations too.
James G says
The large ethnic minority population in Leicester would identify mainly as British rather than English.
Dave Geezer says
You haven’t been to school ave ya m8? (silly billy)(rhetorical)
Nah brev this is silly. British is anyone in the united kingdom – Scottish, Welsh, English or even the Guinness geezers from Ireland innit. And English is someone from England. So how the fook is someone Scottish and British????
absolute sausage
Yours faithfully – Dave
Dave Geezer says
Same thing ya fookin sausage [laughing emoji] [laughing emoji]
Did you know the first heart transplant was by a south african surgeon (the donnie died 2 weeks later lol)
John Sanderson says
I think it is Leicester. Many people whose families originate from former Commonwealth countries will tell you they are British but few would say they are English. I would imagine Leicester has a significant proportion of such people. Larger cities, e.g Birmingham, are more diverse with many people settled there from non former Commonwealth countries, each with its own identity.
John Sanderson says
What is a ‘moderate Roman Catholic’? Not sure moderate is the correct term for what is being labelled.
Dave Geezer says
Its not an extreme catholic is it [laughing emoji] [skull emoji]
Get a load of this guy [pointing emoji]
Yours faithfully
Dave – your favorite geezer
Adrian says
A pity that UAs and LBs are shown, but not MBs.
Dave Geezer says
Yeah its a real shame