The UK is becoming more ethnically diverse: nearly 20% of the population reports being from a minority ethnic background and projections suggest growing diversity is the future. People from minority backgrounds in the UK experience a variety of inequalities. But what is the latest evidence telling us?

A comprehensive analysis of race and ethnicity, recently published as part of The IFS Deaton Review of inequality, finds no single story of advantage or disadvantage across ethnicities. Instead, it presents a complex picture of inequality across and within ethnic minority groups. The findings highlight entrenched inequalities – including access to the building blocks of health such as a good education, stable employment, secure housing and fair pay.

So what do we know about the groups that experience inequalities, what drives these – and how do they relate to health? And what do policymakers need to understand to respond effectively?

To discuss, our Chief Executive Jennifer Dixon is joined by:

Heidi Safia Mirza, Emeritus Professor of Equalities Studies in Education at IOE (UCL Institute of Education) and co-author of the race and ethnic inequalities chapter of the Deaton Review.
Shabna Begum, Chief Executive Officer, Runnymede Trust, a charitable think tank working to reduce racial inequality in the UK.

Show notes

Oxford Open Economics (2024). Dimensions of Inequality: The IFS Deaton Review.

Mirza H S, Warwick R (2024). Race and ethnic inequalities.

Runnymede Trust (2022). Broken Ladders.

Runnymede Trust (2020). Colour of Money.

The King’s Fund (2023). The health of people from ethnic minority groups in England.

Runnymede Trust (2024). Health Foundation supported report on ethnic inequalities and the wider determinants of health. (Forthcoming.)

48: Understanding race, ethnicity and health inequalities – with Heidi Safia Mirza and Shabna Begum