Statistics
This section summarises available statistical information on asylum seekers and refugees in Newcastle, broader contextual data on resident ethnic minority communities and general information about the city itself.
Asylum Seekers
Home Office statistics for end of September 2009 (Home Office, 2009) show that 630 asylum seekers were supported in accommodation by Local Authority and UK Government Office Region.
There are 79 nationalities represented in the asylum seeker population in the North East, with the majority (51%) from the African continent and a significant proportion (20%) from the Middle East. The largest groups were from Iran, Iraq, Zimbabwe, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Refugees
Data on the number of refugees living in the region is not kept; as in every region of the UK, numbers can only be estimated. This is because the Home Office only keeps statistics on the number of asylum seekers that are being accommodated and/or supported. It is also the case that data is not collected on the location of individuals awarded HP (Humanitarian Protection) or DL (Discretionary Leave) and asylum seekers that are not accommodated or supported by the Home Office. As a result estimates on the number of refugees can only be made on the basis of local research or client data collected by relevant agencies.
Minority Ethnic Population
Although the North East has one of the lowest proportions of people born outside the Britain, (according to the 2001 census), it has experienced a large increase in foreign born population between 1991 and 2000. With the exception of London, the scale of change has not been seen in other UK regions over the same period.
According to the 1991 census there were 47,527 people living in Newcastle born outside the Britain. By 2001 this number had increased to 67, 259. This figure remains a small proportion of the total North East population (foreign born inhabitants went from being 1.87 per cent of the population to 2.67% of the population) and small compared to other regions of the United Kingdom, but the increase is notable (IPPR report).
The majority of the population of Newcastle (93.1%) identify themselves as white, which is above the average of 91.3% for England and Wales. 6.9% of the population of Newcastle identify themselves as being from the BME community. The largest ethnic minority groups are:
| Pakistani | 1.9% |
| Indian | 1.2% |
| Bangladeshi | 1.0% |
| Chinese | 0.7% |
Other ethnic minority groups:
| Black or Black British | 0.4% |
| Other Asian | 0.3% |
| Caribbean | 0% |
Source: 2001 Census
Population Statistics
In the last few years (since 2004), the trend of declining population (1951-2001) was reveresed. This has been, in part, because the net number of international migrants arriving in Newcastle has exceeded the net loss to the rest of England.
Mid-Year Population Estimates 1998-2008.
For overall statistical information on Newcastle, visi: Newcastle City Council website
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Last Updated: 16/02/10
