Zimbabweans in Britain: Time to Be Counted

Zimbabwean youth feature in fields ranging from arts and music to local politics as youth members of parliament. There is general agreement that thousands have now settled in the UK and many may not be returning to Zimbabwe on a permanent basis anytime soon. But there is no agreement on how many Zimbabweans are in Britain. Estimates range from conservative figures of around two hundred thousand to extremes of over one million. Accurate figures on a population and its characteristics are important and of interest not only to academics but also to businesses, politicians and above all to those who plan and provide services and infrastructure.

In Britain, the 2001 census should have given us a good baseline to estimate the number of Zimbabweans in the country. But in practice, the figure of just under fifty thousand (249 525) was a serious undercount. In 2001, many Zimbabweans were new to Britain, more concerned with issues of survival and immigration status, unfamiliar with the census process or highly distrustful of anything official and interested more with events at home where they hoped to return soon. In some areas, census collectors erroneously excluded households they perceived to be migrants and asylum seekers when the census requires even these be counted. Crucially, many more Zimbabweans came to Britain after the 2001 census. And both official and unofficial methods of population estimates have not been consistent since 2001 including on what counts or who counts as Zimbabwean. For instance, estimates based on those reporting Zimbabwean nationality differ from those based on country of birth is Zimbabwe and the y undercount on dependants especially children born in Britain. So everyone with interest on population dynamics looks forward to outcomes of the 2011 census that is now upon us.

Zimbabweans and the 2011 Census

If the 2001 census and subsequent estimates are not reliable what hope is there that the 2011 census will provide us with better figures on Zimbabweans in Britain?. Questionnaires for the 2011 census for England and Wales have been posted to every home address in the land. Households are to complete the questionnaires on 27th March 2011 or as soon as possible afterwards. And they have the option to complete the questionnaire online. Taking part in the census is compulsory and households are reminded that they could face a fine if they do not participate or if they provide false information.

Theoretically, therefore, the census should come out with the most accurate headcount of Britains population including that of sub groups such as Zimbabweans. However, some of the limitations observed for the 2001 census appear likely to affect the current exercise. We can be sure that the count will return a higher figure for Zimbabweans, but anecdotal evidence shows there will be an undercount. Although the questionnaire assures households that personal information is protected by law and… census information is kept confidential for 100 years some remain suspicious of a process that collects details of their names, age, sex, date of entry into Britain and so on. Many Zimbabweans live in complex household arrangements including cases of multiple occupancy or many households living in one house. In such situations, the households need to request more questionnaires or agree among themselves to complete the census on-line using the personal internet access code provided on the postal questionnaire. Households with more than six members also have to request an extra questionnaire or use the online option. Some may not be bothered to take this extra effort.

Further, the census has an over-reliance on postal returns and there are limited face to face follow ups. And where such follow ups do not use local censors collectors knowledgeable with the local cultures and environment, the so called hard to reach groups will remain excluded. However, despite these potential limitations, the 2011 census should soon provide us with more agreeable snapshot baseline data on Zimbabweans in Britain their characteristics including on employment, age-sex distribution, geographical distribution, house ownership, housing types and household structures. We will be able to compare our socio-economic standing not just against the national trends but also against other Black and Ethnic Minority groups – Indians, Pakistani, Polish, Bangladeshi Nigerians, Kenyans, Somalis, Caribbean and many others who now constitute Britains multicultural society.

To get help and further information on the 2011 census, phone 03000201101 or visit www.census.gov.uk

Beacon Mbiba

Programme Leader

Urban Planning in Developing Countries and Transition Economies

Oxford Brookes University

http://www.brookes.ac.uk/schools/be/staff/beaconmbiba.html