Theme “Modern Population of the uk: Ethnic Composition, National and Linguistic Differences”

The English nation was formed as a result of the amalgamation of the native population (the Celts) and the invaders (the Anglo-Saxons, the Danes, the Normans).

Growth of Population:

Since 1801 censuses have been held every 10 years in the British Isles.

1086 - Domesday Book - 2 million people in England.

18^th с - Great Britain (England , Wales , Scotland) - 6.5 million people.

1901 - Great Britain and Ireland (united) - 38.2 million people

Data of the latest (2001) Census in the UK: UK - 59.8 million people England - 50 million people (84%) Scotland - 5 million people (8%) Wales - 3 million people (5%) Northern Ireland - 1.8 (3%)

Since 1951 the population has grown by 17% (small growth). The UK is the 18^th in the world in terms of population size.

Details:

sex:

• male - 29.6 million

• female - 30.2 million

urbanisation:

• urban-89%

• rural-11%

age:

• 35-39 years - 50%

• 60 years and over - 21%

• 85 Years and over - 2%

• under 16 years - 20% (aging nation - the number of elderly people surpasses that of children)

education :

• secondary education - 89%

• post-secondary education - 4.8%

• bachelor's degree - 4.9%

• higher degrees - 0.6%

rates (per 1 000 people):

• birth rate - 13.1 % (world average – 25 %)

• death rate -11.3 % (world average - 9.3 %)

• natural increase rate - 1.8 % (world average - 15.7 %)

• marriage rate - 6.1 %

• divorce rate - 3.0 %

religion:

1. Сhristians - 80%:

• Roman Catholics - 21 %

• Anglicans (England) - 20%

• Presbyterians (Scotland)- 14%

• Methodists (Wales) - 5%

• Baptists - 3%

• Northern Ireland: Protestants - 60%, Catholics - 40%

2. Muslims - 11% (one of the largest Muslim communities in the world, 600 mosques and prayer centres)

3. Sikhs - 4%

4. Hindus - 2% (150 Hindu temples)

5. Jews - 1%

6. Buddhists - 0.8%

Ethnic Composition

White people - 91% (British + Italians, Greeks, Spaniards, Portuguese, etc. (immigrants from Europe))

Ethnic minorities - 9%:

1. Caribbean and African black people;

2. Indians;

3. Pakistanis and Bangladeshis;

4. Other immigrants from the former colonies of the British Empire and other Asian countries. The minorities bring their languages (Hindi, Bengali, Punjabi, Cantonese, etc.) and culture (cuisine, folklore, crafts, dances, music, etc.) with them => restaurants, festival, exhibitions, etc.

Immigration:

Internal migration - from Wales, Scotland, Ireland to England. The population in the southern areas (England, London (satellite towns, e.g. Greater London)) continues to grow, in the northern - declines.

Before the Second World War - immigration from Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa. Late 1930s - immigration of the Jews and Poles (as a result of fascist persecutions). After 1960s - immigration from the poorer Commonwealth countries (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, etc.).

Linguistic Situation UK:

English is the national and the official language of the UK. It belongs to the Indo-European family of languages, Germanic group of language, West Germanic subgroup (together with German, Dutch, Afrikaans, Frisian, Luxembourgish and Yiddish).

In March, 2001 the UK ratified the European Charter for Regional and Minority Languages which means that it agreed to support indigenous minority languages (the Celtic Languages of the British Isles) and allows the immigrants to use their native languages (Hindi, Bengali, Punjabi, Cantonese, etc.) as well as English.

Scotland:

Scotch Gaelic belongs to the Celtic group of languages and is spoken by 70 000 people mainly in the Hebrides. It is promoted in schools and on the radio.

Wales:

Welsh belongs to the Celtic group of languages. 20% of the population of Wales are able to communicate in Welsh. In the rural areas it remains the 1^st and the only language spoken.

The Welsh Language Act (1993) provides for the equal position of the Welsh and English languages in Wales.

The Welsh Language Board is a group of people who promote the use of Welsh:

• Welsh is used on TV, radio and in newspapers;

• Welsh is taught to all children at school;

• Road signs in Wales are bilingual;

• Welsh can be used for business and in court.

Northern Ireland:

Irish Gaelic belongs to the Celtic group of languages. 142 000 people in Northern Ireland are able to communicate in Irish. It is promoted in such key areas as education, justice, public services, media and cultural policies.

Chapter 2 "British Studies" by D. D. Kozikis, G. I. Medvedev, p. 23-29.