London is officially the most diverse and inclusive city in the world, according to locals

Here at Time Out, cities are kind of our thing. We’re always interested in how cities across the world are changing and evolving and keen to know how they’re perceived by the people that know them best. 

So, our enormous annual survey of 18,500 city-dwellers asks folk what they think of their hometown’s transport, food, nightlife, green spaces and more. This year, we also wanted to find out how many would describe their city as ‘diverse and inclusive’. Because there’s not really any point going somewhere if you don’t feel welcome. 

We can reveal that, according to locals themselves, London is the most diverse and inclusive city in the world. Our capital topped the ranking with 78 percent of respondents agreeing that they’d describe it as diverse and inclusive.

There are around 300 languages spoken throughout the capital and an estimated 41 percent of its inhabitants were born outside of the UK. Its largely considered one of the most multi-cultural places on Earth, with international communities dotted across north, south, east and west of the city. There’s Little Portugal in South Lambeth, Little Korea in New Malden and Little Lagos in Peckham to name but a few.

Brixton is known for its thriving African-Caribbean influence, Soho has Chinatown, if you go to Green Lanes you’ll be able to tuck into authentic Turkish and Cypriot cuisine and in Tooting, there’s a large south Asian population and a network of restaurants that have earned it the nickname of ‘the land of the curry mile’.

It’s not just London’s rich mix of cultures that makes it such a diverse and inclusive place. The city is also a huge champion of LGBTQ+ inclusivity. It hosts a huge annual Pride celebration (this year, it’s on July 5) and throughout the rest of the year is home to a plethora of gay bars, club nights, queer landmarks, lesbian spaces and LGBTQ+ collectives, like wrestling troupe Fist Club. So, whoever you are, wherever you’re from, whatever you‘re into, London is a place where everyone is welcome. 

You can see the rest of world’s top 15 most diverse and inclusive cities, based on Time Out’s survey, here. 

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