Neighbourhoods and communities 2023: Scottish Household Survey findings

Summary

In 2023, adults felt more positively about the people-based features of their neighbourhoods and less positively about the physical aspects of them. However, since 2022 there has been improvement in agreement around the availability of places to meet and socialise, and welcoming places and opportunities to meet new people.

In 2023, perceptions of safety in neighbourhoods have remained stable from 2022.

Some aspects of neighbourhoods and communities have declined in the past year. This includes the rating of neighbourhoods as a ‘very good’ place to live, alongside small falls in perceptions of neighbourhood kindness, being able to count on neighbours to keep an eye on the home, and the percentage who would offer to help neighbours in an emergency. Personal experience of neighbourhood problems over the past 12 months has increased.

There remain ongoing inequalities for different subgroups of the population, and people living in different places, such as urban or rural settings and by area deprivation. There have been some changes for different groups since 2022. For instance, 16 to 24 year olds have seen declines in a number of measures, including neighbourhood ratings, perceptions of neighbourhood kindness, and being able to count on neighbours. There have also been improvements. For instance, in the availability of places to meet and socialise – in the most deprived areas, large urban and other urban areas, and for social renters.