Religion in London
London was the most religiously diverse region of England in the 2021 Census. Christianity remained the largest religious affiliation at 40.7%, but fewer than half of London residents identified as Christian. No religion was reported by 27.1%, Islam by 15.0%, Hinduism by 5.1%, Judaism by 1.7%, Sikhism by 1.6%, Buddhism by 0.9%, and other religions by 1.0%; 7.0% did not answer the voluntary religion question. About 25.3% of London's usual residents identified with a religion other than Christianity.
Religion Percentages in London
Census 2011 to 2021 Demographic Trends
Community & Cultural Highlights
- London is officially described by the ONS as the most religiously diverse region of England, with 25.3% of residents identifying with a religion other than Christianity in the 2021 Census.
- Christianity is still London's largest religious affiliation at 40.7%, but the proportion has fallen substantially since 2011.
- No religion is the second-largest response at 27.1%, representing a major increase compared with 2011.
- Islam is London's largest non-Christian religious affiliation at 15.0%, with particularly high concentrations in Tower Hamlets, Newham and Redbridge.
- Harrow has the highest Hindu proportion of any local authority in England, at 25.8%, while Brent has one of London's largest Hindu populations at 15.6%.
- Western London contains several major Sikh population centres, especially Ealing, Hillingdon and Hounslow; Southall is an especially important Sikh community hub.
- Barnet has London's highest Jewish population share at 14.5%, while Stamford Hill in Hackney is a major centre of the Charedi Orthodox Jewish community.
- Religious affiliation in the Census records the religion with which a person identifies; it does not measure religious belief, observance or frequency of worship.
Community Geographic Distributions in London
Tower Hamlets had London's highest Muslim proportion at 39.9%, followed by Newham at 34.8%. Islam was the most widespread religion in both Tower Hamlets and Redbridge.
Harrow had the highest Hindu proportion of any local authority in England at 25.8%. Brent also had a substantial Hindu population at 15.6%.
Ealing, Hillingdon and Hounslow each had Sikh populations of around 8% of residents, making the western part of London a major centre of Sikh community life. Southall is one of the most prominent Sikh cultural and religious hubs in the capital.
Barnet had London's highest Jewish proportion at 14.5%. Hackney recorded 6.7% Jewish residents in the 2021 Census, while Stamford Hill remains a major centre of the Charedi Orthodox Jewish community.
Buddhist populations are distributed across London rather than concentrated in one dominant borough; Greenwich is identified by London government sources as having a relatively large Buddhist population.
London Religious Landscape & Demographic Analysis
According to official figures from the ONS Census 2021, Religion, England and Wales, London (total population: 8,799,800 across Greater London) exhibits a distinct religious profile. Christianity represents 40.7% of the population. A substantial 27.1% of residents report having no religious affiliation. The Muslim community comprises 15% of local residents. Hindu residents account for 5.1%. The Sikh population represents 1.6%. The Jewish community accounts for 1.7%. Buddhist residents represent 0.9%.
Local Places of Worship & Community Centers
Spiritual and community life in London is supported by recognized places of worship across various neighborhoods, including St Paul's Cathedral (Christian Cathedral located in City of London), Westminster Abbey (Christian Abbey located in Westminster), East London Mosque & London Muslim Centre (Mosque and Islamic Community Centre located in Whitechapel, Tower Hamlets), London Central Mosque & Islamic Cultural Centre (Mosque and Islamic Cultural Centre located in Regent's Park, Westminster), BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir (Neasden Temple) (Hindu Mandir located in Neasden, Brent), Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha Southall (Sikh Gurdwara located in Southall, Ealing), and Bevis Marks Synagogue (Jewish Synagogue located in City of London).
Neighborhood & Diaspora Insights in London
London is officially described by the ONS as the most religiously diverse region of England, with 25.3% of residents identifying with a religion other than Christianity in the 2021 Census. Christianity is still London's largest religious affiliation at 40.7%, but the proportion has fallen substantially since 2011. No religion is the second-largest response at 27.1%, representing a major increase compared with 2011. Islam is London's largest non-Christian religious affiliation at 15.0%, with particularly high concentrations in Tower Hamlets, Newham and Redbridge. Harrow has the highest Hindu proportion of any local authority in England, at 25.8%, while Brent has one of London's largest Hindu populations at 15.6%. Western London contains several major Sikh population centres, especially Ealing, Hillingdon and Hounslow; Southall is an especially important Sikh community hub. Barnet has London's highest Jewish population share at 14.5%, while Stamford Hill in Hackney is a major centre of the Charedi Orthodox Jewish community. Religious affiliation in the Census records the religion with which a person identifies; it does not measure religious belief, observance or frequency of worship.
Practical Living & Community Guidance in London
- •Census religion figures measure self-identified religious affiliation, not the number of people who regularly attend worship or actively practise a faith.
- •The 7.0% 'not answered' figure should not be treated as people with no religion; no religion and no answer are separate Census responses.
- •London should be described as the most religiously diverse region of England, rather than the most religiously diverse 'region of the UK'.
- •Stamford Hill is an area spanning parts of Hackney and neighbouring Haringey, rather than a separate London borough.
- •London's religious communities are geographically concentrated in some boroughs but are present throughout Greater London.
- •Halal, Kosher, and vegetarian food products are widely accessible in major supermarkets and independent community grocery stores across the city.
- •Under the UK Equality Act 2010, religious belief and practice are protected characteristics against discrimination in workplaces, education, and housing.
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