# Birmingham (Somali diaspora)

> 16,971 Birmingham residents gave Somali as their ethnic group in Census 2021 (1.5% of the city), and 10,812 were born in Somalia; the council says the true.

Source page: https://calankii.com/en/diaspora/birmingham/
Last checked: 2026-11-12
Publisher: Calankii (https://calankii.com)

## Who lives there

 16,971 Birmingham residents gave Somali as their ethnic group in Census 2021 (1.5% of the city), and 10,812 were born in Somalia; the council says the true number is higher because the question was optional [Birmingham City Council health profile](https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/info/50305/community_health_profiles/2780/somali_community_health_profile). On the wider ONS count, Birmingham holds 11.3% of all Somalis in England and Wales, the largest share outside London [ONS](https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/culturalidentity/ethnicity/articles/somalipopulationsenglandandwales/census2021). Top wards: Alum Rock 7.8%, Newtown 7.6%, Sparkbrook and Balsall Heath East 7.4%, Bordesley and Highgate 7.2%, Small Heath 7.2%. Only 5% are 65+ [Birmingham census infographic](https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/download/downloads/id/27469/somali_2021_census_update_infographic.pdf).

## Work and money

 National figures for people born in Somalia: 55% economically active; 26% of Somali women inactive looking after home or family (5% nationally); 23% in elementary jobs and 23% in caring, leisure and service jobs; 12% professional. 72% social renters, 4% owners, 49% of households overcrowded. 33% have no qualifications; 21% of people with Somali-only identity cannot speak English well or at all [Birmingham census infographic](https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/download/downloads/id/27469/somali_2021_census_update_infographic.pdf).

## Who serves the community

 Birmingham City Council (housing, schools, public health; its Public Health team wrote a Somali health profile, updated 8 April 2024) [BCC](https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/info/50305/community_health_profiles/2780/somali_community_health_profile); West Midlands Combined Authority and Mayor; city MPs; West Midlands Police. No armed-group presence. UK law bans funds to al-Shabaab.

## What the community faces now

- Census 2021: about half of Somalia-born households overcrowded; nearly three in four in social housing [infographic](https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/download/downloads/id/27469/somali_2021_census_update_infographic.pdf).
- Census 2021: one in four Somali women outside work caring for home and family; one in five with Somali identity weak in English (same source).
- April 2024: the council still says local Somali data is limited and its full health report lacks 2021 census analysis [BCC](https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/info/50305/community_health_profiles/2780/somali_community_health_profile).

## Top needs

 1. Paid work and skills, especially for women. 2. A trusted, transparent way to send help home. 3. Being counted and recorded properly. 4. English and Somali language for two generations. 5. Youth identity and futures.

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