Borough Market in London: stalls and shoppers
Guide the Arab world → the UK · community · checked 1 Nov 2026

The Arab community in the UK

How many Arab people live in the UK, where they live, and how to keep a piece of home close.

Photo: Pexels
In numbers

How many Arab people live in the UK?

In the 2021 census, 331,844 people in England and Wales described their ethnic group as Arab, and 89,394 were born in Iraq.

331,844Arab ethnic group (2021)
89,394born in Iraq
19,196in Birmingham
17,924in Brent
16,105in Ealing

Census 2021, England and Wales (ONS, via Nomis). Scotland and Northern Ireland are not included.

Where people live

Where they live in the UK

In London above all, and in Birmingham and Manchester.

BHM
Birmingham19,196 people of Arab ethnic group, the most of any area.
LDN
London: Brent, Ealing, Westminster17,924 in Brent, 16,105 in Ealing and 15,439 in Westminster.
MAN
Manchester15,028 people of Arab ethnic group.

Census 2021, England and Wales.

Community life

A piece of home, close by

Msq
London Central MosqueThe mosque in Regent's Park first opened in 1944; its present building, with a large gold dome, opened in 1977.
Edu
Arabic lessons and GCSEArabic for children at associations and mosques, often at the weekend. Pupils can also take a GCSE in Arabic (Pearson Edexcel).
Emb
Embassies and consulatesYour country's embassy and consulates: passports and papers.
Shop
Arab shopsHalal butchers, bakeries and Arab restaurants in the big cities.
TV
TV licenceYou need a TV licence to watch live TV on any channel.
ABC
The Arab British CentreOpened in 1977 and now at 1 Gough Square in the City of London, with a cultural programme across the UK and a public library of over 2,000 English-language books on the Arab world.
Film
SAFAR and ShubbakSAFAR, the Arab British Centre's festival of Arab cinema, has run since 2012. Shubbak, the UK's largest festival of contemporary Arab culture, is held in London every two years.
MAN
Wilmslow Road, ManchesterThe Curry Mile in Rusholme now has Middle Eastern shawarma places next to its Indian and Pakistani restaurants.
TV
Arabic TVThe channels from home, live in the UK.Read the TV guide →
A cosy living room in the evening with a TV and warm shelf lights
Miss home?

The channels you grew up with, here

The news from home, your series, the big matches and the kids' cartoons in Arabic. Live in the UK, on your TV.

How to watch Arabic TV in the UK →
Advertisement: Arabic channels live with VOLTIX →
Photo: Pexels
Online

Where Arab people in the UK meet online

For jobs, rooms, advice and events, many people use Facebook groups and city pages.

FB
Your town's groupSearch Facebook groups for “العرب في لندن” or “Arabs in London” or your town's name.
Info
gov.ukThe UK government's official site: visas, papers and services.gov.uk →

Stay safe: groups are great for jobs and rooms, but never send money or photos of your ID to someone you only know from a group.

Quick answers

Questions people ask

How many Arab people live in the UK?

331,844 people in England and Wales described their ethnic group as Arab in the 2021 census, and 89,394 were born in Iraq.

Where do most Arab people in the UK live?

In London above all (Brent, Ealing, Westminster), and in Birmingham and Manchester.

Where can children learn Arabic?

At associations and mosques, often at the weekend. Pupils can also take a GCSE in Arabic.

Are there Facebook groups for Arab people in the UK?

Yes. Search Facebook for “العرب في لندن” or “Arabs in London” or your town's name.

When did the London Central Mosque open?

The mosque in Regent's Park first opened in 1944. Its present building opened in 1977.

Is there an Arab film festival in the UK?

Yes. SAFAR, the Arab British Centre's festival of Arab cinema, has run since 2012.

Can I watch Arabic TV in the UK?

Yes. Our Arabic TV in the UK guide shows every option.

More for Arab people in the UK

Guides for you

Arabic TV in the UKThe Arabic channels live, and how the official options compare.The Arab community in the UKHow many, where people live, mosques, Arabic lessons and where people meet online.
Sources