Poverty levels broadly stable over last decade

28th March 2025

The latest statistics cover the period up to March 2024 and three-year averages for levels of relative and absolute poverty show a broadly stable trend over the past decade for children, working age adults and pensioners.

Three-year average results show that:

Working-age adults and pensioners are less likely to be in poverty compared to children: 20% of working-age adults and 15% of pensioners are in relative poverty after housing costs, compared to 23% of children.

Relative poverty has been broadly stable for most age groups. Adults under 25 are more likely to be in poverty than older adults.

Minority ethnic households are more likely to be in poverty compared to white British households. Muslim adults have higher rates of poverty compared to adults of Christian background and those with no religion. Some of this difference may be explained by Muslim households being younger.

The publication also includes statistics for the measures in the Child Poverty (Scotland) Act 2017. These are based on single-year figures which tend to fluctuate year on year compared to three-year averages, which provide a better indication of trends.

In 2023-24, rates of relative and absolute child poverty have reduced from the previous year to 22% and 17% respectively, with levels above the interim targets due in that year. Persistent poverty rates for children are relatively volatile over time, and the most recent estimate shows a marked increase (23%) to a level also higher than the interim target. The most recent combined low income and material deprivation estimate for 2023-24 is not comparable with earlier years as the material deprivation questions have been updated. The current figure of 9% is slightly above the interim target.