Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation 2020: introduction

How can I use SIMD?

Use SIMD for

• Comparing overall deprivation of small areas
• Comparing the seven domains of deprivation
• Comparing the proportion of small areas in a council that are very deprived
• Finding areas where many people experience multiple deprivation
• Finding areas of greater need for support and intervention

Do not use SIMD for

• Saying how much more deprived one area is from another – the difference between two ranks can be tiny or large
• Comparing ranks over time – changes are relative and may not reflect actual changes in the neighbourhood
• Comparing with other UK countries – each country measures deprivation slightly differently
• Identifying all people who are experiencing deprivation in Scotland – not everyone facing disadvantage lives in a deprived area
• Identifying affluent areas – lack of deprivation is not the same as being rich