Which foreign passports are most common in London?

Part one: foreign passport holders in London

For the first time, the 2011 Census asked "What passports do you hold?" While 5.8 million Londoners ticked "United Kingdom"; 1.7 million named another country.

Here, we show the number of foreign passport holders from each country. With 156,500 of its citizens living in London, Poland’s stamp is largest, followed by Ireland, India and France. To see all these graphics on one image, follow this link.

European passport holders in London

Poland comes top, followed by Ireland and France.

Asian passport holders in London

India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and China make up the top five.

North, Central and South American passport holders in London

The US tops the list with 48,000 passport holders in London.  

African passport holders in London

Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa make up the top three. For the record, there are 40,300 Australian passport holders living in London and 18,600 with New Zealand documents. 

The 10 most common foreign passports in London

1. Poland - 156,500
2. Ireland - 141,000
3. India - 123,000
4. France - 85,900
5. Italy - 77,100
6. Nigeria - 61,900
7. Portugal - 58,900
8. Germany - 53,400
9. United States - 48,000
10. Pakistan - 44,500

Part two: where London's British passport holders were born

Below, we show where London’s 5.8 million UK passport holders were born. 4,458,000 were born in Britain, but many were born in India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Jamaica and Kenya and have British or dual citizenship. To see all these graphics on one image, follow this link.

British passport holders born in Asia

India also tops this list.

British passport holders born elsewehere in Europe

Turkey, Ireland and Germany make up the top three. 

British passport holders born in Africa

Kenya tops this list.

British passport holders born in the Americas

For the record, 16,700 UK passport holders in London were born in Australia and 10,300 in New Zealand. 

The 10 most common countries of birth for UK passport holders

1. UK - 4,458,000
2. India - 139,300
3. Bangladesh - 78,000
4. Pakistan - 67,000
5. Jamaica - 62,700
6. Kenya - 57,600
7. Nigeria - 53,000
8. Somalia - 50,900
9. Sri Lanka - 49,500
10. Turkey - 43,000

Taken from London: The Information Capital, by James Cheshire and Oliver Uberti. It features 100 maps and infographics that document life in the capital. See theinformationcapital.com for more information.