ERIC ED429138: Young People in Britain. CRE Factsheet.

9 Pages·1998·0.75 MB·English

by  ERIC

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.)
(SLD)
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Young People in Britain
Commission For Racial Equality
00
vvt
CNI
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
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TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
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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.
LE
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U.S. Department of Education
Office of Educational Research and Improvement (0ERI)
National Libraiy of Education (NLE)
Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC)
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