Persistent Poverty in Scotland 2010-2016

Chapter 2: Scotland compared to other UK countries

2.1 People in persistent poverty by UK country

Scotland generally had lower persistent poverty rates when compared with England, Northern Ireland and Wales.

Before housing costs, the Scottish persistent poverty rate in 2012-16 (8%) was slightly lower than in England (9%), Northern Ireland (11%) and Wales (10%). After housing costs, the difference was greater with the Scottish persistent poverty rate (8%) below that of England (12%), Northern Ireland (11%) and Wales (13%).

Charts 3 and 4: Persistent poverty by UK country, all individuals

2.2 Children in persistent poverty by UK country

Persistent poverty rates before housing costs were slightly lower in Scotland than in other countries. The difference was greater after housing costs. In Scotland, 10% of children were in persistent poverty in 2012-16 after housing costs compared to 18% in England, 16% in Northern Ireland and 20% in Wales.

Charts 5 and 6: Persistent poverty by UK country, children

2.3 Working-age adults in persistent poverty by UK country

Before housing costs, Scottish persistent poverty rates for working-age adults in 2012-16 were the same as those in England and slightly lower than those in Northern Ireland and Wales. The after housing costs rates were lower in Scotland than in the other UK countries.

Charts 7 and 8: Persistent poverty by UK country, working-age adults

2.4 Pensioners in persistent poverty by UK country

The before housing costs rate of persistent poverty amongst pensioners in Scotland in 2012-16 (11%) was slightly higher than in the other UK countries (all 10%). After housing costs, the pensioner persistent poverty rate in Scotland (8%) was also slightly higher than in England (7%), Northern Ireland (5%) and Wales (5%).

Charts 9 and 10: Persistent poverty by UK country, pensioners