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The share of Whites in the UK would shrink from 92 per cent to 79 per cent in 2051where as the ethnic minority share of the population will rise from eight per cent in 2001 to 20 per cent over the same period. Experts from the University of Leeds believe ethnic minorities will make up a fifth of the population of the UK. The study also revealed that ethnic minorities will shift from living largely in deprived local authority areas to more affluent areas, making them significantly less segregated from the rest of the population, The Scotsman reports. The three-year study included population projections for 352 local authorities in England, and projections for Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, for each year until 2051. The university team found striking differences in the growth rates of the 16 ethnic groups studied, the paper reports. Project leader Professor Philip Rees said: "The ethnic make-up of the UK's population is evolving significantly. Groups outside the white British majority are increasing in size and share, not just in the areas of initial migration, but throughout the country, and our projections suggest that this trend is set to continue through to 2051." "At a regional level, ethnic minorities will shift out of deprived inner city areas to more affluent areas, which echoes the way white groups have migrated in the past. In particular, black and Asian populations in the least deprived local authorities will increase significantly," Rees said. Rees believes the UK will benefit from a more diverse society.

Ethnic minority population in UK to rise from eight to 20 per cent