Poverty and income inequality statistics for 2024-25 will be published on 26 March 2026. The publication includes important updates to how the poverty statistics are produced, which will improve the accuracy of poverty data and provide greater confidence in figures as we approach the 2030 child poverty targets.
In 2017, the Scottish Parliament voted to set legal targets to reduce child poverty in Scotland. The targets are that by 2030 less than:
- 10% of children are in relative poverty
- 5% of children are in absolute poverty
- 5% of children are in combined low income and material deprivation
- 5% of children are in persistent poverty
Progress towards the first three targets is measured using data from the Family Resources Survey, which is administered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). This survey has been the main source of data for household income and poverty measurement with data going back to the financial year 1994-95.
After years of development, the DWP is linking survey responses with UK benefits data to improve the accuracy of the data that underpins poverty measures. This will reduce the under-reporting of benefit income in the survey and will mean revisions to the rates of poverty in Scotland and the UK, both for the most recent year (2024/25) and for previous years (back to 2021/22 in this publication). Further improvements, such as linking survey responses to Scottish benefits, are planned for the future. While the poverty figures are subject to some revision, the 2030 child poverty targets remain the same.
For a detailed explanation of the changes to poverty statistics, please read this blog from the Office of the Chief Statistician.
Commenting on the changes to poverty and inequality statistics, Chair of the Poverty and Inequality Commission Professor Stephen Sinclair said:
“It is only by having the most accurate picture of levels of poverty in Scotland that we can measure whether progress is being made to tackle it effectively. Any improvement to how poverty data is collected and interpreted is welcome and the new methodology gives us greater confidence in these figures on such a critical issue.”
The poverty statistics will be published in the pre-election period. This means that the Commission, as a public body, is restricted from commenting on them when published. The Commission will provide comment on what they mean for progress towards the child poverty targets in its next child poverty scrutiny report which will be published in June 2026.