# London (Somali diaspora)

> London holds 62.4% of the 176,645 people in England and Wales who identified as Somali in Census 2021, about 110,000 people (derived from the ONS share).

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

## Who lives there

 London holds 62.4% of the 176,645 people in England and Wales who identified as Somali in Census 2021, about 110,000 people (derived from the ONS share). Brent alone holds 6.6% of all Somalis in England and Wales, about 11,700 (derived) [ONS Census 2021](https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/culturalidentity/ethnicity/articles/somalipopulationsenglandandwales/census2021). Nationally 48.2% are under 21; 43.1% were born in Somalia and 43.5% in England [ONS](https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/culturalidentity/ethnicity/articles/somalipopulationsenglandandwales/census2021).

## Work and money

 National Somali figures, ages 16 to 64: 34.1% employed, 8.5% self-employed, 10.3% unemployed, 47.1% inactive (21.7% are students). 72.0% rent social housing, 58.8% are overcrowded, 1.7% own with a mortgage. 40.7% of those aged 30+ have no qualifications [ONS](https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/culturalidentity/ethnicity/articles/somalipopulationsenglandandwales/census2021). In Tower Hamlets the Somali economic activity rate was 47% against 67% for all residents, and 63% of Somali council tenancies were in rent arrears [Task Force](https://www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/Documents/Community-safety-and-emergencies/TH_Somali_Task_Force.pdf).

## Who serves the community

 Mayor of London and the Greater London Authority; 32 borough councils (housing, schools, social care); Jobcentre Plus; NHS GPs; the Metropolitan Police. Community groups named by Tower Hamlets: Ocean Somali Community Association, Raaxo, Urban Adventure Space, Women's Health and Family Services [Task Force](https://www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/Documents/Community-safety-and-emergencies/TH_Somali_Task_Force.pdf). No armed-group presence. UK law bans any funds to al-Shabaab (proscribed group).

## What the community faces now

- Census 2021: more than half of Somali households overcrowded; nearly three in four in social housing [ONS](https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/culturalidentity/ethnicity/articles/somalipopulationsenglandandwales/census2021).
- 2015 to 2018: Tower Hamlets grants to Somali-led groups fell 65%; online housing bidding hard to use; Somali pupils excluded more often; few Somali staff in services [Task Force](https://www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/Documents/Community-safety-and-emergencies/TH_Somali_Task_Force.pdf).
- Same report: lonely women, khat use, young men in the justice system.

## Top needs

 1. Paid work and skills (here and at home). 2. A trusted, transparent way to send help home. 3. Youth futures and identity (exclusions, justice system). 4. Women's and elders' isolation; memory being lost. 5. Records and documents for families.

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