What is deprivation?

Deprivation in everyday terms

Deprivation is the term used to describe situations where people or places are missing things that most of us would consider basic for a decent life. That might include secure work, a warm home, access to shops and services, safe streets or good schools.

It is possible to experience deprivation even with a regular income if housing is poor, transport is limited or local services are hard to reach. This is why official measures of deprivation look beyond money alone.

Areas where deprivation can show up

Deprivation can affect different parts of life at the same time. For example:

• Income and the ability to afford basic necessities
• Access to steady and secure employment
• Quality and security of housing
• Distance to shops, schools and health services
• Exposure to crime or antisocial behaviour
• Health outcomes and disability
• Quality of the local environment such as air quality or road safety

When many of these challenges are present together and persist over time, an area is likely to be classified as more deprived.

Why governments measure deprivation

Measuring deprivation helps governments, local authorities and charities understand which areas face the greatest challenges. This supports decisions about where to invest, how to design services and how to reduce inequalities between places.

In England, one of the main tools for doing this is the Index of Multiple Deprivation. This brings different aspects of deprivation together into a single measure for each small area.

Deprivation is about places, not labels for people

It is important to remember that deprivation measures describe places, not individuals. A neighbourhood classified as highly deprived can still contain people who are doing relatively well. Likewise, people who are struggling can live in more affluent areas.

Good use of deprivation data recognises these nuances and combines statistics with local knowledge and lived experience.