Italians in the United Kingdom

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Italians in the United Kingdom: a short overview

Who they are
Italians in the UK include people born in Italy, those with Italian ancestry, and residents who hold Italian passports. They have lived in Britain for centuries and today form communities in many cities across the country.

How many there are
- Italy-born residents in the UK: about 292,412 (0.4%) in the 2021/22 period.
- England: about 272,019 (0.5%)
- Scotland: about 14,486 (0.3%)
- Wales: about 4,650 (0.2%)
- Northern Ireland: about 1,257 (0.07%)
- Italian passport holders in England and Wales: about 368,738 (2021)
- Many people estimate around 500,000 in the UK have Italian ancestry.

Where they live
The largest communities are spread across major cities and regions:
- London
- Manchester
- Bedford
- Peterborough
- Glasgow
- Birmingham
- Liverpool
- Glamorgan (Wales)
Italian communities are also found in other parts of England, Scotland, and Wales. In London, for example, there is a long-standing “Little Italy” area in Clerkenwell.

Languages and religion
- Languages: British English, plus Italian in families and communities.
- Religion: Italian communities include Roman Catholic, Anglican, Presbyterian, Orthodox, Judaism, and Islam among others.

A brief history
- The Italian presence in the UK goes back to ancient times, with Romans and later merchants and bankers influencing life in medieval and early modern England.
- In the Middle Ages and Renaissance, Italians helped finance the crown and contributed to art and culture in Britain (for example, craftsmen and bankers in London).
- A recognizable Italian community formed in Clerkenwell, London, becoming a hub for social and religious life.
- The 19th and 20th centuries saw more movement, including workers who came for jobs in industry and construction.
- In World War II, many Italians in Britain were interned, and the Arandora Star tragedy in 1940 was a major blow to the Italian-British community.
- After the war, Italian immigration picked up again, especially in the 1950s and 1960s, with new communities forming in cities like Manchester and Bedford. In recent decades, migration from Italy continued, with many Italians settling in London and other cities.

Today
Italians are a well-established part of the UK's social fabric, living across the country, working in many sectors, and contributing to the cultural and economic life of the United Kingdom.