Total population | |
---|---|
10,459 Lebanese-born (2001 Census) | |
Regions with significant populations | |
London, South East England, Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester | |
Languages | |
English, Arabic and French | |
Religion | |
Maronite, Greek Orthodox, Shiite, Druze, Sunni, Protestant |
Lebanese people in the United Kingdom include people originating from Lebanon who have migrated to the United Kingdom and their descendents.
Although there has been sporadic migration from the Middle East to Britain since the 17th century, the real growth of the UK Lebanese population began in 1975, with the start of the civil war in Lebanon which drove thousands of people away. The exodus was aggravated in 1982 with the Israeli invasion. At the same time, many Lebanese expatriates who were based in West Africa, in particular Nigeria, left for Britain as subsequent military governments took control in those areas.
The 2001 UK Census recorded 10,459 Lebanese-born people.Edgware Road in London is one of a number of areas that the Lebanese community has settled in and has shops selling Arabic newspapers, books and music. Other areas with Lebanese communities in London include Bayswater, Kensington and Westbourne Grove.