Social mobility and inclusion

Research using secure data in the Secure Research Service (SRS) to understand inequalities in life chances and the factors that influence social and economic mobility. This includes studies on disadvantage, access to opportunities, intergenerational outcomes, barriers to inclusion and long‑term societal change.

In this section

  1. Publish a case study
  2. Ethnicity differences in private pension participation after automatic enrolment

1. Publish a case study

If you use ONS Secure Research Service data and would like to discuss writing a future case study with us, please get in touch at SRS.Impact@ons.gov.uk.

Please also report any outputs here: Outputs Reporting Form

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2. Ethnicity differences in private pension participation after automatic enrolment

Date: May 2025

This research used linked earnings and census data to examine differences in workplace pension participation across ethnic groups following the introduction of automatic enrolment.

While the policy significantly increased overall participation, the study found that employees of Pakistani and Bangladeshi origin were more likely to opt out than White employees, with these differences not explained by individual or job characteristics. The analysis suggests that religious beliefs, particularly Islamic teachings on saving and investment, play an important role in shaping opt‑out decisions. These patterns have important implications for retirement income and have informed policy discussions with government, industry and pensions stakeholders.

Read the full case study at: Ethnicity differences in private pension participation after automatic enrolment - ADR UK.

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