Estimating segregation and diversity of ethnic groups over time in England and Wales, 1991-2001

Albert Sabater, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona

The study of changing residential patterns of ethnic groups is a key area to inform debates of residential segregation and diversity in urban areas. The aim of this paper is twofold. Firstly, it provides empirical evidence of clear declines in residential segregation between 1991 and 2001 in England and Wales using both census data as published and complete mid-year estimates for the same years. For the analysis, we implement segregation and diversity measures (Index of Dissimilarity, Index of Isolation and Index of Diversity) across wards nationally and for sub-national areas. The outcomes highlight marginal changes when complete mid-year estimates are used, which incorporate non-response not included in census output and the harmonisation of the population definition and census geographies. Secondly, we provide an approach to analyse residential segregation of ethnic groups at different life-stages. For this purpose, the paper traces changes in residential segregation of ethnic groups by using 1991 and 2001 data for various cohorts. This approach sheds some light on the similarity of patterns exhibited between ethnic groups over time.