European Community in Birmingham

Where they come from

European residents in Birmingham come from every corner of the continent, from Ireland and Portugal in the west to Romania, Poland and Ukraine in the east. Some families have been here for generations, while many others arrived in the 2000s and 2010s to work and study.

The community in numbers

At the 2021 Census, out of a city population of 1,144,919, 6,499 people living in the city had been born in Europe outside the United Kingdom; and 29,378 residents gave a European Union language other than English, French, Spanish or Portuguese as their main language. Main language figures leave out the many bilingual residents who use English day to day, so the number who speak the language at home is higher still.

Working for Birmingham

Europeans work in every part of Birmingham's economy, from construction, logistics, manufacturing and care to healthcare, research, finance and technology. European doctors and nurses serve patients in the city's hospitals, and European academics teach at its universities.

Healthcare, education and the skilled trades are three of the pillars of the city's economy. The NHS is one of Birmingham's biggest employers, its universities teach tens of thousands of students, and there is steady demand for electricians, plumbers, carpenters, decorators and handymen in every neighbourhood, alongside business, transport, hospitality, retail and the city's growing digital and creative industries. People from every background keep these sectors running, and the European community shares in that effort.

Culture and community life

Birmingham's European communities bring festivals, churches, shops and restaurants to the city, from Polish delis and Romanian bakeries to Italian cafes and Portuguese pastry shops. The Frankfurt Christmas Market is a highlight of the city's year.

Birmingham's strength lies in its variety, and the European community is a welcome part of it. As the city continues to grow and change, that contribution will remain part of the story of a place that has always looked forward.