MOSCOW, January 26 (Sputnik) — Over half of Londoners will be foreign-born in 16 years and will outnumber native Britons in the capital, The Times newspaper reports Monday.
London’s total population, which is currently estimated at about 8.3 million, is projected to peak at 10 million by 2031. By 2041, the city’s total population is expected to surpass 11 million people, majority of them will be foreign-born.
“On current trends, the UK-born will be in a minority in their own capital within 20 years, despite strong public opposition to mass immigration,” Vice chairman of MigrationWatch UK Alp Mehmet, was quoted as saying by The Times.
According to the 2011 national census, 40 percent of foreign-born Londoners came from Europe, while 30 percent came from the Middle East and Asia, an almost five-fold rise since 1971.
Over 600,000, or 20 percent, were from Africa, primarily Nigeria, and 10 percent were from the United States or the Caribbean.
Furthermore, over 20 percent of foreign-born Londoners are not citizens of the United Kingdom, according to the 2011 census.
