Scottish Government Equality Outcomes: Religion and Belief Evidence Review

14 CONCLUSIONS: cross-cutting summary

14.1 Due to small sample sizes, data for multiple religious groups are frequently aggregated and presented as 'other religions'. This means that data specific to individual religious groups are patchy. Where these data are available, they have been highlighted below to show what is known about outcomes and experiences of different religious groups.

14.2 Church of Scotland has higher rates of economic activity and employment than the other religious groups. The main change in the hate crime figures between 2010-11 and 2011-12 was a slight rise in the proportion of anti-Protestantism charges. Scotland's legal profession is dominated by those of the Church of Scotland and of no religion. Just over half of applicants for public appointments in 2011-12 identified as belonging to a Christian denomination, and the majority of these identified as Church of Scotland. Health survey respondents whose religion was Church of Scotland were slightly more likely to rate their health as good or very good than the Scottish average, although it is among the religions with the smallest proportions of people meeting recommended levels of physical activity. Adults who were Church of Scotland Christians visited the cinema less frequently than the average.

14.3 Adults in the Roman Catholic religion group had the smallest proportion employed in micro-businesses and the lowest self-employment rate. Small proportional increases in hate crime between 2010-11 and 2011-12 were recorded for Roman Catholicism. Roman Catholics are over-represented for residence in deprived areas, suffering a limiting long term illness and having no qualifications. Catholics are more likely than those of the Church of Scotland to live in deprived areas, to rent their homes, to suffer poorer health, to be the victims of crime, and to experience imprisonment. Roman Catholic health survey respondents were significantly less likely to rate their health as good or very good than the Scottish average, had significantly lower than average mental wellbeing, were significantly more likely to have a heart condition or be smokers, and were significantly less likely to have 20 or more natural teeth or to eat 5 or more portions per day. Catholics have below-average levels of participation in sport.

14.4 On average, Jewish people are paid more than Christians, and a high proportion of Jewish people in employment are self-employed. Jewish people are most likely to own their own home. The proportion of charges derogatory towards Judaism reduced slightly between 2010-11 and 2011-12.

14.5 Muslims are among the adults most likely to have no qualifications, but young Muslims are more likely than people from most other religions to participate in post-compulsory education. Muslims have had the lowest employment rate since 2004, but gender differences are apparent, with twice as many Muslim men than Muslim women in employment. Muslims are generally paid less than Christians. Muslims are more likely to be employed in "Wholesale and Retail Trade; Repairs" and in micro-businesses, or to be self-employed, than most other religious groups. Muslims are among the most likely religious groups to have a low income, although this is associated with their young age profile. The prevalence of Muslims in the most deprived areas may be explained by higher levels of limiting long term illness among older people, and high levels of economic inactivity and lack of qualifications among younger people. Muslim households are the most affected by overcrowding. Small proportional increases in hate crime between 2010-11 and 2011-12 were recorded experienced by Muslims, and discriminatory attitudes towards Muslims are increasing. Counter-terrorism measures are contributing to a wider sense among Muslims that they are being treated as a 'suspect community' and targeted by authorities simply because of their religion. Muslim health survey respondents had a much higher prevalence of diabetes than the national average, but Muslim smokers smoked the least. Health behaviours are mixed across religious groups, but in general, Muslims have less harmful behaviour than Christian groups. Islam is among the religions with the smallest proportions of people meeting recommended levels of physical activity, and Muslims have below-average levels of participation in sport. Cultural engagement and participation do not vary substantially by religion, but levels are generally lower for Muslims than for Christians. Attending a play or theatrical performance was least popular amongst Muslims, who did this half as often as the average.

14.6 Sikhs are among the adults most likely to have no qualifications, but young Sikhs are more likely than people from most other religions to participate in post-compulsory education. Sikhs are more likely to be employed in "Wholesale and Retail Trade; Repairs" and in micro-businesses than most other religious groups. The proportion of all people in employment who were self-employed was highest for Sikhs. Sikhs are most likely to own their own home, and the highest rate of sports participation is for Sikhs.

14.7 Young Hindus are more likely than people from most other religions to participate in post-compulsory education. Hindus are more likely to be employed in "Health and Social Work" than other religious groups. Hindus are among the least likely to own their own home, but are also the least likely to rent in the public sector. Health surveys show Hindus as the religious group with the best self-reported health and the most positive mental health scores. Health behaviours are mixed across religious groups, but in general, Hindus have less harmful behaviour than Christian groups. Hindu respondents had a very low prevalence of obesity, significantly lower than the national average.

14.8 Buddhists are among the most likely religious groups to have a low income, although this is associated with their young age profile. Buddhists are among the least likely to own their own home. Health behaviours are mixed across religious groups, but in general, Buddhists have less harmful behaviour than Christian groups. Buddhist respondents had a very low prevalence of obesity, significantly lower than the national average.