Facts and Figures

Lewisham is 'part of' and not 'apart from' the rest of London. We benefit from a culturally and ethnically diverse population of some 247,000. The Black and Minority Ethnic population comprise 40% of the population (including White Irish and White other categories).

Whilst this is lower than the average for Inner London; this is a growing population. And based on current trends, the Borough's overall population could rise to 274,000 over the next ten years. At present Lewisham has the highest proportion of Black/Black British Caribbean residents in Inner London. Over 50% of pupils in our schools are of Black and Minority Ethnic origin. At some 60,000, Lewisham has the second largest child population of all Inner London boroughs. With children aged 16 and under making up 21% of the borough's population. We have a younger age profile than the London norm with a relatively high proportion of young children (those under 5 years). 48 per cent of children under 18 years of age are of black and minority ethnic origin; of those under 10 years the proportion is slightly higher at 50 per cent.

The increasing diversity of our local population is described as much by the variety of family types locally as by people's ethnic origin - 22,000 children in Lewisham live in one parent families (the 7th highest rate in England and Wales) and 5,000 live in 'step-families'.

Deprivation continues to be a major factor with household income well below national average. The borough also qualifies for Neighbourhood Renewal Funding (NRF) on the basis of having 4 wards among the 10% most deprived in the country. In this context, it is not surprising that Lewisham currently has the fourth highest social dependency ratio in Inner London.

These trends provide a strong impetus to ensure that all young people are given the best chance to fulfil their potential and make a positive contribution.

Vibrant, innovative, exciting schools with high expectations are key to ensuring that our pupils are successful and go on to take advantage of the opportunities that an excellent education provides.

Lewisham has 91 maintained schools (70 primary, 2 nursery, 12 secondary and 7 special schools), a City Technology College, several Independent schools (4 at secondary level) and a very large and thriving local Further Education College with some 16,000 students. Like every locality in the capital we recognise that a number of local pupils (particularly at the secondary and further education stages) are not Lewisham residents. However, as a public service agency we have clear responsibilities for the well-being of children and young people regardless of their place of residence.

The next decade promises positive opportunities for Lewisham. Currently, over two thirds of people work outside the borough, many of whom commute into central London. Finance and business services, with a growth of 550,000 jobs since 1993 alone, are at the heart of this expansion. This growth, and London's global role, makes it a focal point for dynamic sectors, such as the creative industries, in which 400,000 Londoners now work. But London's growth presents problems of congestion, of social inclusion, of access to economic opportunities and of stretching demands on public services.

The forecast is a growth of some 100,000 jobs in the City of London (where still a very large number of Lewisham residents work); some 60,000 jobs in an ever-expanding Canary Warf complex (made more accessible to Lewisham residents through the DLR); and the potential of a further 100,000 jobs in the Olympics area.

These developments provide an exciting challenge for the Council and its partners locally will be to ensure that all citizens of Lewisham are able to reap the benefits of this economic growth.

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Facts and Figures