Glasgow City ethnicity profile

This independent research was undertaken by the Glasgow Centre for Population Health (GCPH) on behalf of the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Health Determinants Research Collaboration Glasgow (HDRCG). GCPH is a partner in the NIHR HDRCG led by Glasgow City Council. The views expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the NIHR or the Department of Health and Social Care.

The purpose of this paper is to provide members of the NIHR HDRCG with a concise profile of Glasgow City’s ethnicity, alongside some important considerations in interpreting profile data. It also introduces some key evidence themes relating to ethnicity, disadvantage and health, and racialised health inequalities overall. This is an initial step in supporting the HDRCG in developing a programme of work examining the role that the high levels of ethnic diversity play within the health of the population of Glasgow City.

We also anticipate that this profile will be useful to a range of public sector, third sector and community partners within Glasgow City, and beyond.

Key findings include:

• Glasgow is Scotland’s most ethnically diverse city, with almost one in five residents (19.3%) from a non-White minority ethnic group.
• The city is home to a rich tapestry of cultures, languages and traditions, which strengthen its identity as an open, inclusive and vibrant place to live.
• Glasgow hosts the highest number of asylum seekers in Scotland, with nearly two-thirds of all supported asylum seekers in Scotland living in the city.
• The interplay of ethnicity, socioeconomic status and health is complex: in some measures, ethnic minorities report better health than White groups, but overall, evidence points to racialised health inequalities and greater vulnerability to long-term conditions.
• Glasgow’s ethnicity profile is unique in Scotland – but is likely to be under-represented in official statistics, masking significant unmet need and health inequalities. To promote fairness and equity across all communities, the city requires additional support and prioritisation for investment to address these challenges and enable all its communities to thrive.

The NIHR funds, enables and delivers world-leading health and social care research that improves people's health and wellbeing and promotes economic growth.

NIHR Health Determinants Research Collaborations enable local authorities to become more research-active, embedding a culture of evidence-based decision making. 

The NIHR has awarded £150 million to 30 HDRCs across the UK, to provide the capacity and capability for local authorities to undertake public health research to address the wider determinants of health and health inequalities.