New poverty stats show rising number of children living in poverty in the UK
Recently released poverty stats for the UK show 100,000 more children are growing up in poverty since 2022/23.
That’s 4.5 million children going without the safe and happy childhoods they deserve. But what else did the stats show about the levels of child poverty in the UK? And what does this mean for children growing up right now?
Last year, we helped 687,755 families, children, and young people. With your help, we could reach more.
Whether a family is considered to be in poverty depends on their household income, which is measured in both ‘relative’ and ‘absolute’ terms.
What is 'relative' poverty?
Relative poverty refers to people living in households with income below 60% of the average (median) for that year. Whether you are in poverty is determined by what your income is, relative to the income of the rest of the population.
The ‘poverty line’ will therefore move as average incomes rise or fall in any given year.
What is 'absolute' poverty?
Absolute poverty refers to people living in households with income below 60% of the average (median) income as it was in 2010/11, adjusted for inflation. Under an absolute measure, the poverty line is mostly fixed to a particular point in time (in this case, 2010/11), and is only adjusted upwards in line with inflation.
In a healthy economy when living standards are rising faster than prices, absolute poverty should always fall.
Both the relative and absolute poverty measures are calculated before and after housing costs are included. When discussing poverty at Action for Children, we use the relative poverty measure after housing costs. This is because it best reflects the financial resources required to participate in society as it is today.
These latest stats how that in the UK right now, 4.5 million children are living in poverty. That’s 31% of all children and an increase of 100,000 since 2022/23.
4 million children, or 28%, are growing up in material deprivation. This means their families can’t afford essentials like fruit and vegetables, a warm home, or social activities and hobbies.
31% of children
Unlike the rest of the UK, Scotland has seen a positive shift, with child poverty dropping from 24% to 23% in 2023/24. This progress is likely thanks to the significant impact of the Scottish Child Payment.
There was also an increase in poverty measured in 'absolute' terms. Between 2022/23 and 2023/24, the number of children living in absolute poverty increased from 3.6 to 3.9 million (or from 25% to 26% of children).
This is the second year in a row that absolute poverty has risen. And we know that children are also the hardest hit by poverty.
According to the new poverty stats, children are the most at risk of poverty, with three in ten children being in poverty in the UK (31%).
It means more families than ever struggling to afford the basics. Things like food, heating, a roof over their head. We’ve seen parents going without dinner to feed their children. Children sleeping on the floor because their parents can’t afford to buy them a bed. Or going to school with holes in their shoes.
Whichever way you measure it, children fare the worst.
Thankfully, we have hundreds of frontline workers helping families every day. Topping up the meter, putting food on the table, offering support when they have nowhere else to turn.
We’ve been a vital lifeline for vulnerable families and young people across the UK. And with your help, we can continue to reach those who need us most.
Last year, we helped 687,755 families, children, and young people. With your help, we could reach more.
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