African-born immigrants in Britain are doing better economically than many other migrants, a major new survey shows.

The report, by the Institute for Public Policy Research, however showed that only 12% of the Somalis living in Britain are employed compared to just over 81% of the South Africans, 73% of Zimbabweans and 61% of Nigerians.

The Born Abroad report showed that over half of Britain's population growth in recent years could be attributed to immigration.

South Africans and Kenyans top the list of African countries included.

Debate reignited

The study, based on the national census for the 10 years up to 2001, showed that the biggest increase in migrants from Africa during the period came from Somalia and Zimbabwe.

According to the report, new immigrants make up a larger proportion of the immigrant population than they did in 1994.
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Forty-two percent of immigrants are based in London, which took almost half of the increase between 1991 and 2001.

The report also highlighted the need for policymakers to ensure that Britain makes the most of the benefits immigration brings, and tackles the related challenges efficiently and effectively.

However, it has also reignited the debate on immigration - with an increase of almost 2% in the number of foreign-born people living in Britain and without an indication of how many illegal immigrants there may be.
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