British Muslims are more likely to live in areas with social problems needing more attention. Muslims experience more job discrimination and reside in areas with high unemployment rates. The increased employment rates of Muslim men and women prove discrimination in the UK. Subsequently, what do statistics show about Muslims’ unemployment rates in the UK? How many unemployed Muslim women are there in the UK?
UK Muslims Are More Deprived than Non-Muslims
The UK Office for National Statistics report about the Muslims’ social deprivation in England and Wales is provoking. Based on the census, people who identified as Muslim had the lowest percentages in employment. Census takes place once a decade to give a picture of the households in England and Wales. Census data shows around 2.6 million Muslims live in areas with the highest unemployment rates.
What Are the Unemployment Rates Among Muslims in the UK?
According to the census analysis, one in 20 Muslims aged 16 to 64 is unemployed. Muslims had the highest rate of unemployment in England and Wales compared with the other religious and non-religious groups. So, what are the unemployment rates among Muslims in the UK? The Guardian surveyed that 68% of Muslims live in areas with the highest unemployment rates.
Statistics show 26% of Christians and 25% of others live in areas with high unemployment rates in England and Wales. At the same time, Muslims have the highest percentage of economically inactive people, around 41.9%. Those who reported other religions stand for 30.3% of economically inactive people. This difference was more significant among the younger age groups aged 20 to 24.
A High Rate of Economically Inactive Muslim Women
Religion and ethnicity significantly affect the UK labour market. More Muslim women are looking after homes and families than other religious and non-religious groups. Around 28% of Muslim women are economically inactive, while about 4% of Muslim men are. However, among the overall population, 9.7% of females and 1.9% of males are economically inactive. In this regard, how many Muslim women are unemployed in the UK?
Discrimination Has a Direct Impact on Muslims
Muslim men and women have a greater unemployment probability than white British Christians. Muslim women face the most significant risk of unemployment in the UK. Religion has a direct impact on women’s social life, and the issue is not something new. How many unemployed Muslim women are in the UK? Based on a 2017 report, British Muslim women are around 70% more likely to be unsuccessfully looking for work.
How Many Unemployed Muslim Women Are in the UK?Â
The National Labour Force surveyed Muslim and non-Muslim women with similar educational levels and language abilities. Discrimination against Muslim women is seen in employers’ decisions. Economic activities by Muslim women in the UK have remained significantly low. The unemployment rate among Muslim women was 18%, while it was 4% for white Christian women.
There are no detailed statistics published about the number of unemployed UK Muslim women. Nevertheless, half of the Muslim population could be women, and more than a quarter are economically inactive. In a former report, the ONS found 35% of all Muslim women aged 16 to 64 were in employment. At the same time, 69% of UK working-age women were employed.
Muslim Population Is on a Rise
UK Muslims could more probably experience discrimination in the labour market. However, the population of Muslims, specifically Muslim women, is rising, and such unfairness must change. According to the census report, the number of people in England and Wales is around 60 million. The Muslim population is approximately 3.9 million, 6.5% of the overall population. Unfortunately, the Muslim community experiences disproportionate levels of deprivation.
Joblessness Approvingly Threatens Muslim WomenÂ
There are areas of concern for the Muslim population, particularly regarding access to social opportunities. There is a need for resource allocation in Muslim residencies where they experience equality and are not deprived. Ethnic penalties deprive Muslim women and men of the UK labour market. Regarding socio-economic situations, UK Muslim women are at the most significant risk of joblessness. With the same education and language skills level, joblessness is severe for Muslim women.
Employers Discriminate against Muslim Women for Ethnicity and Dressing Style
Today, UK Muslim women are 71% more likely than white Christian women “to be unemployed.” Employment opportunities are regrettably less for Muslim women who face discrimination within the workplace around dress and ethnicity. Both Muslim women and men are suffering the disadvantages related to employment opportunities. Disadvantages faced by the Muslim community are daily challenges for the households dealing with the social and economic crisis.
Muslim Involvement Must Rise with Population IncreaseÂ
There are always discrimination and discrepancy against ethnic communities, specifically Muslims in the UK. Cultural biases exist in the UK society, and racism exists within educational and employment institutions. Over the past decade, the Muslim population has increased by 1.2 million in England and Wales. They have grown to a younger population born in the UK. As the population of the Muslim community is on the rise, their social involvement should increase.
Clarity and Effective Action Are Needed
Young Muslims are the second or third generation in the UK but are still in cycles of poverty and deprivation. The UK government must have a clear strategy for race equality nationwide. Discrimination, segregation, or isolation of the Muslim community in British society are unfair. The government must increase the life chances of the Muslim community. The government must pay more attention to the Muslims’ living standards and must make efforts to improve their lives.
Government Must Eliminate Job BarriersÂ
The government, the media, and universities must play their part in helping Muslim people gain what they deserve. There should be a comprehensive effort to study the barriers that Muslim people encounter in the UK labour market. The UK government must inform employers about the qualities of the Muslim community and address the unemployment issue. Employers should eliminate prejudiced views about non-white ethnicities while being aware of their capabilities.
