DescriptionExplore age distribution of the Black British population. Verified ONS Census 2021 data showing a younger demographic profile compared to the England and Wales average.

Age Distribution – UK Black Demographics | BlackBritish.org.uk

Age Analysis

The Black British population is significantly younger than the England and Wales average, with a median age of 32 — eight years below the national figure.

Source: GOV.UK Ethnicity Facts and Figures — ONS Census 2021

Age percentages verified

— All figures confirmed against GOV.UK Ethnicity Facts and Figures (Census 2021, published 31 March 2023). Absolute population counts are estimates derived from verified percentages applied to the total Black population of 2,409,283.

Younger Population

28.2%

Under 18 years old — vs 24.5% England & Wales average

Source: GOV.UK Ethnicity Facts and Figures, Census 2021

Working Age

~65%

Aged 18–64 (derived estimate — ONS bands do not align to 16–64 exactly)

Approximate — pending exact 16–64 band calculation from TS007A

Median Age

32 years

Compared to 40 years England & Wales average

Percentages verified — GOV.UK / ONS Census 2021

Note on population counts:

Age percentages are verified from ONS Census 2021. Absolute counts are estimates derived by applying verified percentages to the total Black population of 2,409,283 (England & Wales). ONS does not publish absolute counts at these exact band groupings.

of Black population

Age band note:

ONS Census 2021 publishes 18 age bands that do not align to conventional "under 16 / working age 16–64 / 65+" splits. Figures marked with ⚠ are derived approximations. Median ages (32 and 40) are directly published by ONS and fully verified.

Black British Population

Under 18

18–64 (approx working age)

65 and over

6.6%

England & Wales Average

~20.7%

~54.9%

~18.4%

40 years

The Black British population is significantly younger than the England and Wales average, with a median age 8 years lower (32 vs 40). Over a quarter (28.2%) are under 18, compared to around 20.7% of the overall population. This younger demographic profile has implications for education, employment, housing, and public services planning.

Primary source:

GOV.UK Ethnicity Facts and Figures — Age groups (published 31 March 2023), based on ONS Census 2021 (England and Wales).

Ethnic group:

"Black" aggregate — Black African + Black Caribbean + Black other. Total Black population: 2,409,283.

ONS age bands:

ONS publishes 18 bands (0–4, 5–9, 10–14, 15–17, 18–24, 25–29, 30–34, 35–39, 40–44, 45–49, 50–54, 55–59, 60–64, 65–69, 70–74, 75–79, 80–84, 85+). The 6 broader bands on this page are derived by summing adjacent ONS bands.

Absolute counts:

Derived estimates only — calculated by applying verified percentages to the total Black population. ONS does not publish absolute counts at these exact band groupings.

Working age:

The conventional "16–64" working age band cannot be precisely derived from ONS bands (which split at 15–17 and 18–24). The ~65% figure is an approximation pending exact calculation from the TS007A dataset.

Regional Comparison

Interactive Map

labelChildren & Young People

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Black

0–15: 25%

25–34: 20%

50–64: 14%

65+: 8%

Working age 16–64: 67%

0–17

Sum of ONS bands 0–4, 5–9, 10–14, 15–17

18–24

ONS band 18–24 (directly published)

25–34

Sum of ONS bands 25–29 (7.1%) + 30–34 (7.1%)

35–49

Sum of ONS bands 35–39 (7.3%) + 40–44 (7.5%) + 45–49 (7.1%)

50–64

Sum of ONS bands 50–54 (7.5%) + 55–59 (6.7%) + 60–64 (4.3%)

65+

Sum of ONS bands 65–69 (2.2%) + 70–74 (1.3%) + 75–79 (1.1%) + 80–84 (1.1%) + 85+ (0.9%)

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under 16 / working age 16–64 / 65+

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