Hinduism in the United Kingdom
Neasden Temple in London. | |
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom: 1,066,894 – 1.6% (2021) England: 1,020,533 – 1.8% (2021) Scotland: 29,929 – 0.6% (2022) Wales: 12,242 – 0.4% (2021) Northern Ireland: 4,190 – 0.2% (2021) | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Greater London | 453,034 – 5.1% |
| South East England | 154,748 – 1.7% |
| East Midlands | 120,345 – 2.5% |
| West Midlands | 88,116 – 1.5% |
| Religions | |
| Majority: Vaishnavism Minority: Shaivism | |
| Languages | |
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| Related ethnic groups | |
| British Sikhs and British Buddhists | |
| Hinduism by country |
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| Full list |
Hinduism is the third-largest religious group in the United Kingdom, after Christianity and Islam; the religion is followed by over one million people representing around 1.6% of the total population. According to the 2021 United Kingdom census Hindus are primarily concentrated in England, particularly in Greater London and the South East, with just under 50,000 Hindus residing in the three other nations of the United Kingdom. Hindus have had a presence in the United Kingdom since the early 19th century, as at the time India was part of the British Empire. Many Indians in the British Indian Army settled in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Most British Hindus are immigrants, mainly from India, and there are also significant number of Hindu immigrants from Sri Lanka and Nepal, with even smaller numbers from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Bhutan. In the recent times, due to the efforts of ISKCON, BAPS and other Hindu organisations and mass following of Yoga, Meditation and other Hindu practises, many British citizens have embraced Hinduism, including many celebrities. The UK has the largest Hindu population in Europe.