Top 10 BAME Statistics You Need to Know in 2025

Editor’s Favourite Statistics:

• The UK population is now 18% ethnically diverse, representing a vibrant and multicultural nation.
• Ethnically diverse companies are 36% more likely to outperform competitors, showing that inclusion drives innovation and profitability.
• The UK’s ethnicity pay gap stands at 10.5%, with minority employees continuing to earn less on average than their White counterparts.
• Only 6% of FTSE 100 CEOs come from ethnic minority backgrounds, despite minority groups making up nearly one-fifth of the UK population.
• 39% of ethnic minority employees have experienced discrimination at work, highlighting the ongoing need for inclusive leadership and culture change.

These figures show a clear message – representation isn’t just about fairness, it’s about progress. Businesses that prioritise inclusion build more innovative teams, stronger brands, and better results.

Why These Statistics Matter

Representation isn’t just about fairness, it’s about performance, innovation and belonging. When organisations include BAME perspectives, they unlock deeper creativity, stronger collaboration and more informed decision-making.

• Representation fuels innovation: Diverse teams challenge groupthink and encourage new ideas.
• Inclusion builds trust: Authentic representation strengthens culture and communication.
• Awareness drives accountability: Lived experience inspires lasting organisational change.

That’s where our speakers come in. From corporate conferences to leadership workshops, BAME Speakers deliver powerful keynotes that move inclusion from policy to practice — turning awareness into action.

The Top 10 BAME Statistics You Need to Know

1. 18% of people in England and Wales identify as Black, Asian, Mixed or from another ethnic group

2. The “White” population fell from 86.0% in 2011 to 81.7% in 2021

This demographic shift marks a historic moment for the UK. As the population becomes more diverse, organisations must evolve too, ensuring that leadership, culture, and communication reflect the communities they operate within.

Bringing BAME speakers into your events and training programmes demonstrates awareness of this shift and a commitment to inclusion. Their insights bridge generational, cultural, and professional divides, fostering more inclusive workplaces and stronger customer relationships.

Source: Office for National Statistics (ONS)

3. The Asian or Asian British population is now 9.3% of the total UK population

Asian communities, including Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Chinese and others, form one of the most influential and fastest-growing demographics in the UK. Despite their significant contributions across technology, healthcare, business, and education, representation in leadership and media still lags.

Inviting BAME speakers to share their experiences helps organisations celebrate achievement, challenge stereotypes, and inspire future generations. It’s an investment in visibility, innovation, and equity that resonates across industries.

Source: ONS Census 2021

4. Black, Black British, African or Caribbean groups make up 4.0% of the population

Although smaller in percentage, Black communities have had a profound influence on British culture, politics, sport, and innovation. However, underrepresentation in leadership remains an issue, with fewer than 2% of senior business executives identifying as Black.

BAME speakers provide a platform for these stories of resilience, excellence, and advocacy. Their presence at events helps to dismantle barriers, humanise lived experiences, and redefine what leadership looks like in modern Britain.

Source: ONS Census 2021

5. Ethnic minority groups make up 27% of the prison population vs ~18% of the general population

In England and Wales, people from minority ethnic backgrounds account for 27% of the prison population, compared with around 18% of the wider population. This disproportionality highlights systemic inequalities across the justice pathway, from stop and search to sentencing.

Bringing in BAME speakers with expertise in criminal justice and equity helps organisations translate statistics into action, improving policy awareness, allyship and community engagement.

Source: House of Commons Library – UK Prison Population Statistics (8 July 2024)

6. Black people are stopped and searched at a rate of 24.5 per 1,000 — compared to 5.9 per 1,000 for White people

This disparity highlights ongoing challenges with trust and equality between minority communities and law enforcement. It reflects how systemic bias impacts daily life, from public services to workplaces, and why awareness training alone is not enough.

Hearing from BAME speakers with lived experience brings these statistics to life. Their stories transform data into empathy, helping audiences connect emotionally with complex social issues and motivating meaningful change in attitudes and policies.

Source: House of Commons Library – Stop and Search (2024)

7. Black employees earned £13.53 median hourly pay vs £14.35 for White employees in 2022; after adjustment, UK-born Black employees earned 5.6% less

The ethnicity pay gap is nuanced across groups. In 2022, Black, African, Caribbean or Black British employees had a median hourly pay of £13.53 versus £14.35 for White employees. After adjusting for occupation, qualifications, geography, age and sex, UK-born Black employees earned 5.6% less than UK-born White employees.

BAME speakers specialising in equitable pay and progression help leaders move from awareness to practical steps—transparent reporting, fair promotion processes and inclusive leadership.

Source: The Office For National Statistics

8. As of 2025, there are 13 FTSE 100 CEOs from ethnic minority backgrounds

Boardroom representation is improving but remains limited at the very top. The latest Parker Review update reports 13 FTSE 100 chief executives from ethnic minority backgrounds. Earlier data also shows ethnic minority directors now hold around 19% of FTSE 100 board seats.

Booking senior BAME leaders and speakers gives audiences role models and practical roadmaps for inclusive pipelines, sponsorship and culture change.

Source: IAS Plus summary of Parker Review (Mar 2025)

9. 25% of ethnically diverse employees witnessed or experienced racial harassment or bullying from managers; 31% from customers/clients

The Business in the Community Race at Work Charter (2023) found 25% of ethnically diverse employees reported witnessing or experiencing racial harassment or bullying from managers, and 31% from customers, clients or service users. Policies alone aren’t enough; cultures must change.

BAME speakers help organisations build psychologically safe, anti-racist workplaces, equipping leaders and teams with practical behaviours to prevent, call out and address harm.

Source: Business in the Community – Race at Work 2023

10. Diverse companies are 36% more likely to outperform their competitors

McKinsey’s research proves that inclusion isn’t just ethical, it’s profitable. Companies with diverse leadership outperform less inclusive competitors in innovation, performance, and growth. Diversity isn’t a “nice-to-have”; it’s a business advantage.

Through BAME speakers, organisations can learn how to translate inclusion into measurable outcomes. Their stories and frameworks demonstrate how diversity drives better strategy, deeper creativity, and long-term success, both financially and culturally.

Source: McKinsey – Diversity Wins Report 2023

The Future of Representation

These statistics reveal both progress and challenge. The UK’s diversity is growing, but representation and equality must grow with it. Organisations that act now to prioritise inclusion will lead the next generation of innovation, trust, and performance.

By partnering with BAME Speakers, you can bring authentic, influential voices to your events, voices that inspire change, challenge norms, and drive inclusion that lasts.

Book a BAME Speaker for Your Next Event

Our speakers bring lived experience, expertise, and insight that spark real transformation. From leadership and workplace equity to social justice and cultural awareness, they turn awareness into action, empowering audiences to lead with empathy and purpose.

To hire a BAME Speaker for your corporate event, get in touch with one of our dedicated booking agents directly on 02039317392 or by filling out our online contact form.

Confused about where to start? Read our step-by-step guide to booking a BAME speaker: How to Book a BAME Speaker.