DOCUMENT RESUME ED 429 138 UD 032 857 TITLE Young People in Britain. CRE Factsheet. INSTITUTION Commission for Racial Equality, London (England). PUB DATE 1998-00-00 NOTE 8p. PUB TYPE Reports - Descriptive (141) EDRS PRICE MF01/PC01 Plus Postage. DESCRIPTORS Adolescents; *Educational Attainment; Elementary Secondary Education; Employment Patterns; *Ethnic Groups; Foreign Countries; Higher Education; Language Minorities; *Minority Groups; Religious Cultural Groups; Training; *Urban Youth; *Young Adults IDENTIFIERS Fact Sheets; *Great Britain ABSTRACT This factsheet provides information about young people from ethnic minorities in Britain. In spring 1997, 48% of the ethnic minority population of Britain was under 24 years of age, in comparison with 31% of the White population. Twenty-two percent of the ethnic minority population was of compulsory school age, compared with 14% of the White population, and the proportion of students from ethnic minorities who complete basic levels of education has grown. In spring 1997, 81% of 16-to-19-year-olds from ethnic minority groups were receiving education and training (71* of them full-time), compared with 67% of White young people. At the ages of 20 to 24, minority members were even more likely to be receiving training and education. Black students were more likely to be in vocational education, and Asian students were more likely to be pursuing academic qualifications. About 13* of the students entering higher education in 1996-97 were from ethnic minorities, and 95% of the U.K. domiciled graduates in 1995-96 were from ethnic minority groups. However, 35% of the economically active (paid for work or looking for paid work) 16- to 24-year-old Blacks were unemployed in spring 1997 compared with 134; of young White people. Additional information is provided about employment patterns, language and religion, relationships and family structure, leisure activities, homelessness, young offenders, racial violence and harassment, and involvement with the justice system. (Contains 19 references, 12 figures, and 1 table.) 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BEST COPY AVAILABLE POPULATION 3A4N WiV4Figoo; n eigr,ou ut-In Spring 1997, 48% of the ethnic minority popu- lation of Britain were under 24 years of age compared with 31% of the white population (see Figure I). In 1994, the Labour Force Survey estimated that 86% of people from ethnic minority groups under 16 years of age were born in the UK. FURTHER The proportion of Among 16-24 year-olds, EDUCATION young people achieving 76% of Black people, 72% five or more GCSE higher 0,- In Spring 1997, 81% of of Indians and 48% of (A-C) grades has increased 16-19 year-olds from Bangladeshis and Pakista- across all ethnic groups ethnic minority groups nis were born here. since 1994. However, were receiving education inequalities between some and training (71% of them COMPULSORY groups still remain. In full-time), compared with SCHOOLING 1996, 38% of Asians 67% of White young 0)- In Spring 1997, 22% of (including Chinese and people (58% of whom the ethnic minority popu- Other Asian) and 23% of were studying full-time). lation of Britain were of Ore' young black people In the 20-24 year age compulsory school age (5- achieved five or more group, the figures were 15 years), compared with GCSE higher grades, com- 42% and 27% respectively 14% of the White popula- pared with 45% of White (and 29% and 17% for tion (see Figure 1). pupils. full-time study). Black 'it'll Table 1. Qualifications among 16-24 year olds, by highest qualification held, ethnic group and sex, Spring 1997 AB ethnic Pakistani & White minorities Black Indian Bangladeshi Other Men Degrees 5 7 Higher below degree 4 . A-level 29 27 32 31 22 24 GCSE grades A-C or equivalent 34 32 30 34 30 33 Other qualifications 15 11 15 19 21 No qualifications 15 17 17 22 Women Degrees 6 7 Higher below degree 4 A-level 26 21 25 15 28 GCSE grades A-C or equivalent 40 36 44 43 27 31 Other qualifications 10 14 15 18 No qualifications 14 18 19 26 Numbers less than 10,000; estimates not included. Source: Labour Force Survey, Spring 1997 NOTES 1. This factsheet follows the ethnic categories used in the 1991 census The term 'ethnic minorities' is used to refer to people who did not tick the 'White' box when identifying their ethnic group. 'Non-white ethnic minorities make up 5.6% of Britain's population. 3 2. All percentages have been rounded to the nearest whole number BEST COPY AVA TILA w (26%) to have no formal Black Caribbean women Asian groups, were to be qualifications at all (see were much more likely to found in subjects such as Table 1). White 16-24 enter higher education pharmacy (37%), accoun- year-olds were more likely (63%) than Black tancy (30%), law (23%) to have GCSE AC grades Caribbean men (37%), and computing (22%). and A-level qualifications while the reverse was true The largest numbers of than their ethnic minority for Pakistani and ethnic minority students, counterparts. 16-24 year- Bangladeshi women taken however, were doing busi- old White men and ethnic together 35% compared ness and management, Asian Othoe, minority women were j with 62% of Pakistani and (9,141-1, electronic engineering and equally likely (7%) to hold Bangladeshi men. computing. 14,1eY degrees. 0- Black students are P In Spring 1997, 44% of 0- Black 16 year-olds in much more likely to go ' (13%) all 16-24 year-old full-time England and Wales were Fatirciel hap: r997 into higher education as students in Britain were .1 I, more likely to be studying mature students. In also in paid work or look- women between 16 and for vocational rather than 1994/5, only 14% of Black ing for it. White students 24 years of age were most academic qualifications in first-year home students were most likely (45%) to likely to be studying 1996 (40% compared with were under 19 years of be in this situation, fol- further (72%), and women 30%). Asian (including age compared with 49% of lowed by Black students from the Pakistani and Chinese and 'Other' Indian and 39% of White (40%), students from Pak- Bangladeshi groups com- Asians) and White 16 students conversely, istani and Bangladeshi bined least likely (40%). year-olds, on the other 56% of Black students groups combined (32%), hand, were more likely to were 26 years and over Other students (30%) and Nearly a quarter of 16- be pursuing academic compared with only 15% Indian students (23%). 24 year-olds from ethnic (41% and 38% respec- of Indian and 36% of Figure 3 shows that White minority groups had at tively) rather than voca- White home students. 16-24 year-olds tend to least one A-level in Spring tional qualifications (27% enter the labour market 1997. Indian men were and 30% respectively). 0- 18% of young people earlier than any other most likely (32%) to be Students from all ethnic following HE courses at FE group: 56% were econom- qualified to this standard groups were more likely to colleges at the end of 1996 ically active compared and Pakistani/Bangladeshi be studying at Further were from ethnic minority with 29% of young people women least likely (15%); Education (FE) colleges groups compared with 5% from ethnic minority they were also most likely than at state schools. How- at HE colleges. groups. Among 16-19 ever, nearly two-thirds of year-olds, the figures were Black 16 year-olds (62%) 0q- In 1996, the UCAS 36% and 19% respectively. and almost half the Asian annual report showed that In Spring 1997 (48%) students of that age 18% of all acceptances to GRADUATES were at FE colleges, com- degree courses and 27% of 9% of the 417,300 UK pared with 36% of White acceptances to HND .71% of 1649 domiciled graduates in 16 year-olds. courses were from ethnic 1995/6 were from ethnic minority groups. minority groups; 39% of year-0)M's fr m , At the 1991 census, them achieved first and 32% of Irish-born men pv, At first degree level, the upper second class degrees and 34% of Irish-born largest proportions of ,.hnic minority compared with 65% of women aged 15-29 years ethnic minority home stu- White graduates. had higher qualifications dents, predominantly groups in Britain mainly first and higher degrees, compared with 20% of all men and 18% were in full-time of all women. education HIGHER EDUCATION 0, 13% of the 516,700 UK compared with students entering higher education in 1996/7, up 5,8% of White from 10% in 1992, were from ethnic minority groups (see Figure 2 for a young people breakdown of the total). 4 EST COPY AVM LE 41 all UK domiciled 9% A study by Connor et al only young Black people tracking the progress made were more likely to be by 1993 graduates for two raduates in 1996 working part-time (59%) and a half years showed among Black women, that ethnic minority grad- 75% worked part-time. were from ethnic uates were less likely than White graduates to be in itc- In Spring 1997, 36% of permanent employment minority iiroups all 16-24 year-old ethnic (that is, full-time or part- minority employees were time work for three employed in the whole- months or more), and found a job after training, followed by Black 16-24 sale, retail or motor trades more likely to be unem- compared with 64% of year-olds, 57% of whom compared with 27% of ployed at any stage during White participants, and were economically active White people in that age that period. They were 45% gained qualifications, (with 37% in paid work or group (see Figure 6). also more likely to be in compared with 51% of training and 20% unem- Among 16-24 year-old short-term employment, White participants. Young ployed or looking for male employees, 48% of except six months after people from ethnic minor- work). The unemployment White men worked in graduation, and more ity groups made up 3% of rate among young Black these sectors compared likely during the first year all Modern Apprenticeship people was 35% compared with 30% of ethnic minor- and a half after graduation starts at the end of 1996, with 13% among young ity men. Among 16-24 to opt for further study. compared to 7% of the White people. 16-24 year- year-old female employ- 35% of ethnic minority population of 16-25 year- olds from the South Asian ees, 42% of ethnic minor- graduates and 44% of olds as a whole. groups were least likely to ity women worked in White graduates from the be economically active. wholesale and retail jobs class of 1993 were still in >- In Spring 1997, White compared with 27% of their first job two and a 16-19 year-olds were Ok. White 16-24 year-olds White women. 17% of all half years after graduation. twice as likely (17%) as were more than twice as 16-24 year-olds from those from ethnic minority likely to be working full- ethnic minority groups TRAINING groups (8%) to say they time (68%) than part-time had jobs in hotels and tio. At the end of 1996, had received job-related (32%) in Spring 1997. restaurants, compared around 7% of the 262,000 training in the previous Among ethnic minorities, with 11% of Whites. 16-25 year-olds pursuing four weeks. vocational qualifications through Youth Training EMPLOYMENT St UNEMPLOYMENT (YT) programmes in England and Wales were 10- As Figure 5 shows, from ethnic minority White 16-24 year-olds groups; but in London were most likely to be eco- they made up nearly a nomically active in Spring third of all participants 1997; 63% were in paid (see Figure 4). In 1995/6, work or training and 9% only 43% of ethnic minor- were unemployed or look- ity YT participants had ing for work. They were -,r7:66vr, sectOt*of emplarreil ongA644 by ethnic group pq 0.0M9.7 l; white : ttoinic. . . BEST COPY AVATIABLE 03. Around a third of all were in the 20 29 by 5% of pupils, is the Asians. Only a small frac- employees in distribution, year range. most common first lan- tion of South Asians were hotels and restaurants guage, other than English, cohabiting by the time earn less than £3.50 per LANGUAGE Irc followed by Punjabi (3%) they were 24 years old REUGION hour, and close to half and Thrkish and Urdu (at (7% of all with partners), earn less than £4.00 per fA. The 1994 PSI survey 2% each). Altogether, 275 compared with 55% of hour. A report for the TUC found that almost all 16- languages are spoken by Black Caribbeans and 48% showed that, in hotels and 24 year olds from ethnic pupils in London's schools. of White people. At 29 years, the cohabiting pro- Pp- 16-34 year olds from all portion among Black 35% of economically ethnic groups were less Caribbeans was only likely to feel that religion slightly lower (49%), but was very important to the had fallen to 27% among dive 16-24 year-old lack way they lived their life White people and 3% than people aged 35 and among South Asians. eople were unemployed over. Pakistani and Bangladeshi young people Ird). Black Caribbean' were most likely (67%) to women were most likely m. red with in spring 1997 c think so, compared with (20%) to have children 5% of White, 7% of Chi- when they were teenagers 13% f y ung hite pe ple nese, 18% of Black (16-19 years), but by 24 Caribbean and 35% of years of age, 37% of Pak- Indian 16-34 year-olds. istani and Bangladeshi women were likely to be restaurants, average hourly RELATIONSHIPS minorities speak English mothers, compared with minimum pay after 1995 fluently or fairly well. The By the age of 24, people 32% of Black Caribbeans, was £3.17, with 84% of all lowest proficiency rates in from White and South and 18% each of Indian workers paid below £3.50. this age group were among Asian groups were more and White women. Pakistani (84%) and than twice as likely (35%) Union membership Bangladeshi (80%) as those of Black 0- The PSI survey found levels are lowest in the women. Caribbean origin (16%) to that single people born in two industries where be married or living with a Britain, aged 30, and with- 16-24 year-olds from Op More than half of all partner, or to have been out children were most ethnic minorities are most 16-29 year-old Indians and married in the past; young likely to live with their likely to work: 8% of all African Asians and nearly Pakistanis and Bangla- parents if they were South employees in hotels and half the Pakistanis in this deshis were seven times as Asian: 70% did so com- restaurants, and 11% of all age group now have Eng- likely to be married as pared with 52% for Black employees in wholesale lish as their main spoken young Black Caribbeans. Caribbeans and 42% for and retail, were union language, compared with By 29 years of age, this White people (see Figure members in 1995. Union only a fifth of their was true of 68% of White 7). Once married, how- membership is also low Bangladeshi peers. people and 77% of South ever, the majority of cou- among employees under Asians, but only 38% of ples in all ethnic groups 20 years of age, who Op- A survey of school Black Caribbeans. stopped living with their comprised 68% of all full- pupils in Greater London parents: only 1% each of time students in work in shows that at least a quar- 1> White and Black White and Black Carib- Spring 1997. Only 6% of ter of them speak a lan- Caribbean people were bean couples, and 30% of all employees were under guage other than English much more likely to be South Asian couples 20 years of age, and 23% at home. Bengali, spoken cohabiting than South stayed with their parents. 6 AVAILABLE IMF COIPT It ngure selectea leisure Interests, by ethnic group, 1993 Puhs. drinking Clubs d:scos. lisfbctS; Rugby. , . Rshing, angkng, shoed . 8,041-$ Pid11?,n'ali141. listeMng to recardid, iadio music (18%) than either Black HOMELESSNESS Caribbeans or Asians (both lb,- A 1993 study of 2,000 lh'ealre 5% or less), and twice the homeless people in proportion of Asians as Fieading England found that one- Black and White respon- third of all homeless 111 Playing musical kthurn dents mentioned watching people under 25 years of TV and videos. Asians age were from ethnic Painting dnsirini were most likely to say minority groups. 3 they spent time reading Cooking SOdlCO YOUNG (42%), but this was due to Harland.. 199S the significant number OFFENDERS 0 20 60 10 40 30 50 who mentioned reading Oa- Data from the British Crime Survey 1988-92 Parentally arranged suggest that nearly half marriages are now a By the age of 29, 68% (45%) of all violent crimes minority practice among are committed by 16-25 younger African Asians year-old men. A 1992 of White people and (15%) and Indians (27%). Home Office study of However, half of all young people found that Bangladeshi 16-34 year- 77% of Asians are Black and White 14-25 olds and 65% of Pakistanis year-olds were equally in this age group said that likely to have committed married or living with their parents chose their a an offence (43% and 44% marriage partner. respectively). South Asian partner, compared with young people had signifi- 86% of White 16-34 cantly lower rates, with year-olds and 84% each of 30% of Indians, 28% of 38% of Black Caribheans Black Caribbeans and Chi- Pakistanis and only 13% nese in this age group said of Bangladeshis likely to that they would not mind have offended. Property if a close relative were to 1995 by the National the Koran or other reli- offences were the most marry someone from Foundation for gious books in their leisure common type of offence another ethnic group. Pak- Educational Research time. Hockey and rugby across all ethnic groups istani (41%) and asked 14-24 year olds were the only sports not (see Figure 10). Black Bangladeshi (52%) 16-34 about their leisure activi- mentioned by young Caribbean women were year-olds were least likely ties. The numbers from people from ethnic minor- more likely to have com- not to mind. ethnic minority groups ity groups. Black mitted an offence than were small, and these Caribbeans were most women from other groups. The PSI study found findings should only be likely (14%) to be that, for 39% of children taken as broad indicators. involved in boxing and the RACIAL VIOLENCE under 16 years of age with As Figure 9 shows, White ift HARASSMENT martial arts. a Black Caribbean mother young people were much f> In more than a third of or father, and for 15% more likely to go to pubs all cases of racially moti- with a Chinese mother or father, their other parent was White (see Figure 8). LEISURE A survey published in 7 EST COPY MIURA IL on 30 June 1996 was 71% compared with 87% of Blacks, 79% of South Asians and 75% of Chinese and Other groups DRUG USE The 1996 British Crime Survey showed that 16- 29-year-olds from ethnic minority groups were vated violence against 11 Black Caribbeans, and in over half of the cases Over half the racial against South Asians, the perpetrator was described attacks against So th 1)y the victim as being between 16 and 25 years of age (see Figure 11). In Asians, an e ore than nine out of ten incidents of racially motivated vio- on in three against lence and harassment, the perpetrators responsible were White; however the lack caribbeans, are offenders in a small pro- portion of racial attacks committed by 16-25 year (5%) and racial abuse (3%) were described as Black. olds in nine out of to POLICING cases, the perpetrators 10- Young people from ethnic minority groups are more likely to be stopped are White and questioned by the police than White young people. In a written parlia- mentary answer on 29 England and Wales in much less likely to have March 1996, David June 1996, and young used drugs than their Maclean MP said that females 13% of the female White counterparts: 46% in the Metropolitan area, prison population of of White young people 112,763 (59%) of the British nationals. Black said they had taken drugs 189,928 people stopped Caribbean young male compared with 31% of and questioned by police offenders accounted for Black Caribbeans, 22% of were from ethnic 9°k of young British male Indians and 16% of minorities. offenders and women Pakistanis/Bangladeshis. from the Black Other 85% of Black Caribbean group made up 5% of all Oa- Cannabis was the most 16-34 year-olds thought young British female widely used drug in 1996 that neither they nor prisoners. (see Figure 12), followed Asians could rely on the by amphetamines. police to protect them Young offenders from Analysis of earlier British from racial harassment. all ethnic minority groups Crime Surveys shows that tend to serve longer sen- women are less likely to I PRISONS tences than young White take drugs than men, but I A A DA- Young male offenders offenders. In the prison White and Black (aged under 21 years population as a whole, the Caribbean young women when sentenced) made up I I proportion of White young are significantly more I 18% of the prison popula- offenders serving sen- likely (26%) to do so than I tion of British nationals in tences of over 18 months Asian women (8%). o vatir ZaliFTP ATAMPAtrtav.4)" , rho Commission for Racial Equality is working for a just society which gives 8 everyone an equal chance to learn, work and live free from discrimination and prejudice and from the fear of racial harassment and violence. 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