Ecuadorian Briton
Encyclopedia
Ecuadorians in the United Kingdom include people of Ecuador
ian ancestry living in the United Kingdom
, who have been born or raised in the UK. They can be either British citizens
or non-citizen immigrants.
newspaper put the figure at around 10,000. Several other sources estimate the population including British-born people of Ecuadorian origin to be higher. NGO representatives and community members believe it is in the range of 30,000 to 75,000, whilst the Ecuadorian Consulate in London
states around 70,000. Latin American author Sofia Buchuck estimates between 70,000 and 90,000. However, Ecuadorians do not feature in Office for National Statistics
estimates for the top 60 foreign countries of birth
in 2008, meaning that there are fewer than 20,000 Ecuadorian-born people resident in the UK.
The overwhealming majority of Ecuadorians in the UK can be found in London, with the Ecuadorian Consulate estimating that 80 to 90 per cent live in the capital. Lambeth
and Southwark
are the most populous boroughs within Greater London
.
The majority of Ecuadorian British people are mestizos of Andean origin. It is a predominantly Christian community, and is served by over 20 Latin American churches in London (with more across the UK). Comunidad Cristiana de Londres has over 5,000 largely Ecuadorian members.
in London where the areas main shopping centre has many Ecuadorian stalls and shops that sell Ecuadorian produce and craft work. In the same district, Ecuadorian-owned hairdressers, money transfer and community centres, clothing importers and music stores can be found. Alongside Elephant and Castle, a significant number of Ecuadorian restaurants can be found in London, most notably in Seven Sisters
and on Holloway Road
. The Carnaval del Pueblo
, which is Europe's largest celebration of Latin American culture
, has a significant input from the Ecuadorian community.
Ecuador
Ecuador , officially the Republic of Ecuador is a representative democratic republic in South America, bordered by Colombia on the north, Peru on the east and south, and by the Pacific Ocean to the west. It is one of only two countries in South America, along with Chile, that do not have a border...
ian ancestry living in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, who have been born or raised in the UK. They can be either British citizens
British nationality law
British nationality law is the law of the United Kingdom that concerns citizenship and other categories of British nationality. The law is complex because of the United Kingdom's former status as an imperial power.-History:...
or non-citizen immigrants.
Population and distribution
The 2001 Census recorded 3,035 Ecuadorian-born people living in the UK. More recent estimates of the size of the Ecuadorian population in the UK vary. In 2006, The IndependentThe Independent
The Independent is a British national morning newspaper published in London by Independent Print Limited, owned by Alexander Lebedev since 2010. It is nicknamed the Indy, while the Sunday edition, The Independent on Sunday, is the Sindy. Launched in 1986, it is one of the youngest UK national daily...
newspaper put the figure at around 10,000. Several other sources estimate the population including British-born people of Ecuadorian origin to be higher. NGO representatives and community members believe it is in the range of 30,000 to 75,000, whilst the Ecuadorian Consulate in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
states around 70,000. Latin American author Sofia Buchuck estimates between 70,000 and 90,000. However, Ecuadorians do not feature in Office for National Statistics
Office for National Statistics
The Office for National Statistics is the executive office of the UK Statistics Authority, a non-ministerial department which reports directly to the Parliament of the United Kingdom.- Overview :...
estimates for the top 60 foreign countries of birth
Foreign-born population of the United Kingdom
The foreign-born population of the United Kingdom includes immigrants from a wide range of countries who are resident in the United Kingdom. In the period January 2010 to December 2010, there were 19 foreign-born groups that consisted of at least 100,000 individuals residing in the UK The...
in 2008, meaning that there are fewer than 20,000 Ecuadorian-born people resident in the UK.
The overwhealming majority of Ecuadorians in the UK can be found in London, with the Ecuadorian Consulate estimating that 80 to 90 per cent live in the capital. Lambeth
Lambeth
Lambeth is a district of south London, England, and part of the London Borough of Lambeth. It is situated southeast of Charing Cross.-Toponymy:...
and Southwark
Southwark
Southwark is a district of south London, England, and the administrative headquarters of the London Borough of Southwark. Situated east of Charing Cross, it forms one of the oldest parts of London and fronts the River Thames to the north...
are the most populous boroughs within Greater London
Greater London
Greater London is the top-level administrative division of England covering London. It was created in 1965 and spans the City of London, including Middle Temple and Inner Temple, and the 32 London boroughs. This territory is coterminate with the London Government Office Region and the London...
.
Ethnicity and religion
| Ecuadorians granted British citizenship | |
|---|---|
| 1998 | 33 |
| 1999 | 39 |
| 2000 | 43 |
| 2001 | 55 |
| 2002 | 80 |
| 2003 | 200 |
| 2004 | 325 |
| 2005 | 655 |
| 2006 | 955 |
| 2007 | 745 |
| 2008 | 580 |
The majority of Ecuadorian British people are mestizos of Andean origin. It is a predominantly Christian community, and is served by over 20 Latin American churches in London (with more across the UK). Comunidad Cristiana de Londres has over 5,000 largely Ecuadorian members.
| Year | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of applications | 60 | 105 | 250 | 435 | 1,205 | 280 | 610 | 445 | 255 | 315 | 150 |
| Number recognised as refugees | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 25 | 10 | 20 | 5 |
| Number granted exceptional leave | 0 | 0 | <5 | 0 | <5 | 10 | 0 | 20 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
| Number refused asylum | <5 | 15 | 35 | 105 | 740 | 1,000 | 135 | 650 | 490 | 290 | 220 |
Culture
The cultural capital of Ecuadorians in the UK is Elephant and CastleElephant and Castle
The Elephant and Castle is a major road intersection in south London, England, located in the London Borough of Southwark. It is also used as a name for the surrounding area....
in London where the areas main shopping centre has many Ecuadorian stalls and shops that sell Ecuadorian produce and craft work. In the same district, Ecuadorian-owned hairdressers, money transfer and community centres, clothing importers and music stores can be found. Alongside Elephant and Castle, a significant number of Ecuadorian restaurants can be found in London, most notably in Seven Sisters
Seven Sisters, London
Seven Sisters is an area of North London in the United Kingdom and part of the London Borough of Haringey. It is located at the east end of Seven Sisters Road, which runs from Tottenham High Road to join the A1 in Holloway.-Etymology:...
and on Holloway Road
Holloway Road
Holloway Road is a road in London. It is one of the main shopping streets in North London, and carries the A1 road as it passes through Holloway, in the London Borough of Islington...
. The Carnaval del Pueblo
Carnaval Del Pueblo
The Carnaval del Pueblo is Europe's largest celebration of Latin American culture, held in Burgess Park, London on the first week of August.The carnival features a spectacular procession of exotic floats, costumes, musicians and dancers, making their way through London Bridge, along Borough High...
, which is Europe's largest celebration of Latin American culture
Latin American culture
Latin American culture is the formal or informal expression of the peoples of Latin America, and includes both high culture and popular culture as well as religion and other customary practices....
, has a significant input from the Ecuadorian community.