New data highlights under-represented groups in the architects’ profession

Data published by the Architects Registration Board (ARB) confirms a continuing lack of diversity in the profession and the need for sustained action.

In particular, the data shows that while the gap is narrowing, female architects are significantly underrepresented in the profession.

The data also demonstrates significant underrepresentation in the profession of certain ethnic groups, despite a more positive trend among newly registered architects.

ARB maintains a publicly available Register of Architects so anyone using the services of an architect can be confident that they are suitably qualified and fit to practise. The Register is the most complete and authoritative source of information about all architects able to work in the UK. ARB has analysed data from the Register alongside an optional equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) survey to show insights into the makeup of the architects’ profession, areas of underrepresentation and changing trends. Publishing this information creates a unique opportunity for ARB to share a true picture of the profession, a key goal in its current Corporate Strategy.

ARB’s new analysis shows:

Gender:

• Women are underrepresented in the architects’ profession. Only 31% of architects are female, which is significantly lower than the UK population.
• Representation is improving over time: in 2021, almost half the new architects joining the register were female. More younger architects joining the Register are women.

Ethnicity:

• White people are overrepresented in the profession, accounting for 88% of architects but only 83% of the UK population.
• Black or Black British people are underrepresented on the Register, accounting for 1% of architects but 4% of the UK population. Asian or Asian British people are slightly underrepresented, accounting for 8% of architects but only 9% of the UK population.
• Representation is improving over time. For example, in 2021, 77% of new registrants were White and 2% were Black or Black British.

Location:

• The architects’ profession is not evenly distributed across the UK. Half of all architects are based in London and the South East, compared to 27% of the UK population.
• The second most common location is outside the UK.
• Geographical representation is not improving. From 2016 to 2021, over 60% of architects joining the Register have been based in London and the South East.

Sexual orientation:

• The majority (78%) of architects identify as heterosexual or straight. Excluding those who prefer not to say, 96% of architects identify as heterosexual, compared to a national estimate that 89% of the UK population are heterosexual. This means that other sexual orientations are potentially underrepresented in the profession.

Religion:

• Architects are less likely to be religious than the UK population at large: 41% of architects are non-religious and 34% are Christian. In comparison, 48% of the UK population describe themselves as Christian and 37% say they are not religious.

ARB’s EDI survey also asks questions about disability and socio-economic mobility, but ARB has identified a lack of data in these areas.

Hugh Simpson, Chief Executive and Registrar, said: “Our analysis shows troubling areas of underrepresentation in the architects’ profession when compared to society at large. Architects play a crucial role in creating a built environment that is safe, sustainable and where everyone in society can live well, and it makes sense that a profession that designs in the interests of a diverse society should be drawn from and representative of that society. Publishing this report is a first step towards understanding the makeup of the profession, and sharing the steps, consistent with our statutory role, we intend to take to support the development of a profession that better reflects society.”

The Board of ARB has committed to the following actions:

• Improve the data it collects through the EDI survey, the Register and through the accreditation of qualifications, to better understand the points at which certain groups leave the journey toward qualifying as architects.
• Consult on strengthened requirements for providers of architectural education and training in relation to equality and diversity
• Consult on revisions to the Architects Code of Conduct to promote professionalism and strengthen the requirements around equality diversity and inclusion.

A full list of actions ARB intends to take as part of its regulatory role is published in the report.