The social mobility challenges faced by young muslims

Abstract

Young Muslims face the 'broken promise of social mobility': compared to other groups, their improved success in education at all levels does not translate into good labour market outcomes. Despite their educational gains, Muslims experience the greatest economic disadvantages of any group in UK society. They are more likely than non-Muslims to experience neighbourhood deprivation, housing, educational and health disadvantage, and unemployment. This qualitative report explores the attitudes and reasons behind this situation. It offers an account of young Muslims’ perceptions of growing up and seeking work in the UK. The report is designed to contribute to a better understanding of the causes of low social mobility for young Muslims. Drawing on the perceptions of young Muslims (through focus groups and interviews) and of key stakeholders (through a three-stage Delphi survey) the research sought evidence on: • The barriers young Muslims see to social mobility in the UK – in particular, why educational gains are not translating into employment gains for young Muslims. • How these perceptions differ depending on gender, ethnicity, socio-economic background and different forms of educational participation