Total population | |
---|---|
Moroccan-born residents 12,348 (2001 Census) Other population estimates 50,000-80,000 of Muslim Population (ONS 2010 estimate) |
|
Regions with significant populations | |
London, Edinburgh, Slough, St Albans, Crawley, Trowbridge, Manchester | |
Languages | |
British English, Moroccan Arabic, Berber, French | |
Religion | |
Predominantly Islam (Sunni); minority Christianity (Catholicism and Protestantism), Judaism | |
Related ethnic groups | |
British Arabs, Moroccan diaspora |
British Moroccans are citizens and/or residents of the United Kingdom whose ethnic origins lie fully or partially in Morocco.
Mass migration from Morocco to the United Kingdom began in the 1960s, primarily consisting of migrant workers recruited to work in the hotel and catering industries. The community has grown significantly due to high birth rates as well as sponsored migration of dependents.
The 2001 Census recorded 12,348 Moroccan-born people residing in the UK. One recent estimate by the Runymede Trust suggested 65,000 and 70,000 people of Moroccan origin reside in the UK. Outside of London, Trowbridge, the county town of Wiltshire, has the highest population of Moroccans in the UK.
The National Association of British Arabs categorises Morocco-born immigrants as Arabs. Based on census data, it indicates that they are the sixth largest population of British Arabs by country of birth.