Life in the UK Test
Chapter 3:UK TODAY:A PROFILE
Population
United Kingdom consists of FOUR countries
- England - 50.1 million(84%)
- Scotland - 5.1 million (8%)
- Wales - 2.9 million (5%)
- N.Ireland - 1.7 million (3%)
- The population has grown by 7.7% since 1971
- Both the birth rate and the death rate are falling and as a result
the UK now has an aging population i.e more people over 60 than children
under 16.
The census
A Census is a count of the whole population.It also includes
the collection of data such as age,place of birth,occupation,ethnicity
and marital status.
A census
has been taken every ten years since 1801, except during the second World
War. The next census will take place in 2011. The data gathered
during census remains confidential and anonymous; it can be released to
the public only after 100 years.
Ethnic diversity
The UK population is ethnically diverse and is changing
rapidly, especially in large cities such as London. Each of the four countries
of the UK (England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland) has different
customs,attitudes and histories.
People of Indian, Pakistani, Chinese, African, Bangladeshi
and mixed ethnic descent make up 8.3% of the UK population. Among the
minorities, Indian descent are the biggest in proportion
Most members of the large ethnic minority groups live
in England, where they make up 9% of the total population. 45% of all
ethnic minority people live in the London area, where they form nearly
one-third of the total population
The Nations and Regions of the UK
The UK is a medium-sized country. The longest distance
on the mainland, from John O’Groats on the north coast of Scotland to
Land’s End in the south-west corner of England, is about 870 miles (approximately
1,400 kilometres)
There are many variations in culture and language in
the different parts of the United Kingdom. The English language has many
accents and dialects.
Well known dialects in England are
- Geordie - Tyneside
- Scouse - Liverpool
- Cockney- London.
Many other languages in addition to English are spoken
in the UK, especially in multicultural cities. In Wales, an increasing number
of people speak Welsh, which is taught in schools and universities.
In Scotland Gaelic is spoken in some parts of the Highlands and
in Northern Ireland.In Northern Ireland a few people speak Irish Gaelic.
Some of the dialects of English spoken in Scotland show the influence
of the old Scottish language, Scots. One of the dialects spoken
in Northern Ireland is called Ulster Scots.
Religion
Although the UK is historically a Christian society,
everyone has the legal right to practise their religion.
Just over 75% of the people in the UK acknowledge that they have a religion.72
% of them are Christians.
But only 10% attend regular religious services. Islam
is the second largest religion in the UK. See the latest statistics on Religions
in the UK.
The Christian Churches in the United Kingdom
In England there is a constitutional link between church
and state. The official church of the state is the Church of England.
The Church of England is called the Anglican Church in other countries
and the Episcopal Church in Scotland and in the USA. The Church
of England is a Protestant church and has existed since the
Reformation in the 1530s.
The King or the Queen (the monarch) is the Head, or the Supreme
Governor, of the Church of England. The monarch is not allowed to marry
anyone who is not a Protestant.
The spiritual leader of the Church of England is the Archbishop of Canterbury.
The monarch has the right to select the Archbishop and other senior Church
officials, but usually the choice is made by the Prime Minister and a
committee appointed by the Church.
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In Scotland, the established church is the Presbyterians
Church; its head is the Chief Moderator.
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There is no church established in Wales or in
Northern Ireland
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10% of UK Christians are Roman Catholics.
40% of them live in Northern Ireland.
Customs and Traditions of the UK next>>
