Greater London is home to approximately 8.9 million residents, making it the most populous city in the United Kingdom and one of the largest in Europe. The city's population grew rapidly during the 19th and early 20th centuries, experienced a decline following World War II due to suburbanization, and has seen a strong resurgence since the 1980s.
London's demographic profile is defined by its extraordinary diversity. According to recent census data, less than half of the population identifies as White British. The city has large, established communities of South Asian (Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi), Black (African, Caribbean), and various other European, Middle Eastern, and East Asian descents.
This multiculturalism is reflected in the spiritual life of the city; while Christianity is the most widely practiced religion, London has substantial Muslim, Hindu, Jewish, Sikh, and Buddhist populations, alongside a large percentage of secular or non-religious individuals. Over 300 languages are spoken in London's schools, highlighting a cosmopolitan workforce and educational environment. Economically, London features a high employment rate but also grapples with stark income inequality, where areas of immense wealth sit closely alongside neighborhoods facing high poverty rates.
