The Increase of the British Jewish Population

For the first time in fifty years the Jewish population in Britain is on the rise.  By the second half of the 21^st century the population of strictly Orthodox Jews will outnumber their secular counterparts.

The Jewish studies centre of Manchester University published their research on May 20, 2008 which states that there are three strictly Orthodox births out of every four British Jewish births.  Out of a population of about 280,000, this accounts for 46,500 (just under 17%) of that total.

Because of the high rates of intermarriage (running at about 50%), low birth rates, and emigration to Israel, the number of secular counterparts is decreasing by almost 2 % every year.

The British Jewish population had been declining in the past.  In 1950, it was 450,000, and now it is only 280,000.  However, due to the birth rate of Orthodox Jews being so high, this number has began to increase and have a reverse effect that will greatly impact the community of Jews in the future.

The research that the study found determined that the average Jewish woman has 1.65 children.  On the other hand, an average strictly Orthodox woman will have 6.9 children.  There are even cases where one family will have up to 15 kids.

Stamford Hill is where you will find the largest group of strictly Orthodox communities.  This is the home of 20,000 Haredi.  They follow and believe in the most theologically conservative form of Judaism.  From the ages of 16 and under they make up about half of all of the Jewish pupils in the Jewish schools.