Key Highlights
- The English Indices of Deprivation 2025 (IoD25) measures relative levels of deprivation in small areas across England.
- New data and methodologies have been incorporated into the IoD25, making it less directly comparable to previous versions but providing a more comprehensive view of deprivation.
- Seven neighbourhoods in Blackpool rank among the top 10 most deprived in England according to the IMD25.
- The Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD25) ranks all neighbourhoods based on their level of multiple deprivation relative to other areas, with the most deprived ranking as ‘highly deprived’.
Introduction to the English Indices of Deprivation 2025 (IoD25)
The Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government has released the latest iteration of the English Indices of Deprivation 2025 (IoD25). This statistical release provides a comprehensive overview of deprivation across England’s small areas or neighbourhoods.
Scope and Methodology
The IoD25 uses Lower-layer Super Output Areas (LSOAs) from the 2021 Census to measure deprivation. There are 33,755 LSOAs in England, each representing an average population of 1,500 residents or 650 households. The Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD25) ranks these areas based on their level of multiple deprivation relative to other areas.
Main Findings and Analysis
The most deprived neighbourhood in England according to the IMD25 is located east of Jaywick & St Osyth area of Clacton-on-Sea, Tendring (Tendring 018a). Seven neighbourhoods in Blackpool also rank among the top 10 most deprived areas in England. Overall, 82% of the most deprived decile according to the IMD25 were also deemed the most deprived according to the IMD19.
Geographical Distribution
The patterns of deprivation across England are complex and widespread. The IoD25 reveals concentrations of deprivation in large urban conurbations like Birmingham, Liverpool, Greater Manchester, and parts of Teesside. There are also pockets of deprivation surrounded by less deprived places in every region of England.
Comparison with Previous Indices
The English Indices of Deprivation 2025 (IoD25) incorporates new data and methodologies that make it less directly comparable to previous versions but provide a more comprehensive view of deprivation. The Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD25) ranks all neighbourhoods based on their level of multiple deprivation relative to other areas, with the most deprived ranking as ‘highly deprived’.
Implications and Future Directions
The IoD25 can be used to identify the most deprived neighbourhoods and explore domains or types of deprivation. It cannot quantify how deprived a neighbourhood is, identify deprived people, say how affluent a place is, compare with small areas in other UK countries, or measure absolute change in deprivation over time.
Following the 2022 Indices Future user consultation, MHCLG committed to five lead actions: reviewing domains of deprivation, methodology and statistical techniques, publishing more underlying data, building on resources and guidance, and working with Devolved Nations towards further harmonisation. These actions have been carried forward and form a cornerstone of the IoD25 work programme.
