The Northern Ireland Poverty Bulletin 2013/14 is released

Date published: 25 June 2015

A publication entitled 'The Northern Ireland Poverty Bulletin 2013/14' was published today by DSD.

The Northern Ireland Poverty Bulletin is produced annually by the Department for Social Development and contains statistics on income and poverty for various population groups.

The bulletin provides analysis on three measures of poverty:

  • Relative Poverty - the proportion of individuals who have incomes below 60% of the UK median
  • Absolute Poverty - the proportion of individuals who have incomes below 60% of the UK (inflation adjusted) median income in 2010/11
  • Combined Low Income and Material Deprivation - the proportion of individuals who have incomes below 70% of the UK median and live in material deprivation

Key findings with regard to Relative Poverty are summarised below:

  • In 2013/14 average (median) household income in Northern Ireland before housing costs was £404 per week or £21,100 per year, representing a small decrease of approximately 1% from the previous year
  • The overall long term trend of poverty in Northern Ireland has remained fairly stable since 2002/03, with approximately one fifth of the population living in poverty
  • In general poverty levels have increased between 2012/13 and 2013/14. This was more marked for some population groups than for others
  • 21% of individuals were in poverty in 2013/14, approximately 376,000 individuals. This is an increase from 19% the previous year
  • 23% of children were in poverty in 2013/14, approximately 101,000 children. This is an increase from 20% the previous year
  • 20% of working-age adults were in poverty in 2013/14, approximately 213,000 working-age adults. This is an increase from 18% the previous year
  • 21% of pensioners were in poverty in 2013/14, approximately 63,000 pensioners. This is an increase from 20% the previous year

The figures noted above are presented on a Before Housing Costs (BHC) basis as used within the Child Poverty Act 2010. The analysis has also been produced on an After Housing Costs (AHC) basis and is detailed within the bulletin. Similar analysis is also provided within the bulletin on Absolute Poverty.

Notes to editors: 

  1. This is the fourth publication of the Northern Ireland Poverty Bulletin. This bulletin presents annual estimates of the percentage and number of people, children, working age adults and pensioners living in low income households in Northern Ireland (NI). The estimates are used to monitor progress towards United Kingdom (UK) targets to reduce poverty. The data published in this bulletin are for the financial year April 2013 to March 2014
  2. This bulletin provides high level figures in advance of the Households Below Average Income Northern Ireland (HBAI) 2013/14 publication, which is due to be released in October/November 2015
  3. Figures presented in this bulletin are taken from the Households Below Average Income (HBAI) dataset, which is based on the Family Resources Survey (FRS). The FRS has been running in Great Britain since 1992 and was subsequently introduced to Northern Ireland in April 2002
  4. An infographic on how low income is measured in HBAI is on the Gov.UK website
  5. Poverty figures quoted in this press release are for relative poverty. An individual is considered to be in relative poverty if they are living in a household with an income below 60% of UK median income in the year in question. In 2013/14 the threshold was £272 per week (BHC) for a couple with no children (the benchmark for HBAI). Therefore, a couple with no children that have a combined income below £272 per week would be considered to be in relative poverty
  6. All monetary amounts quoted in the key findings are in 2013/14 prices and any changes presented are in real terms i.e. after adjusting for inflation
  7. The Northern Ireland Poverty Bulletin 2013/14 is now available
  8. All media queries should be directed to the Department for Social Development Press Office on 028 9082 9496 or email: press.office@dsdni.gov.uk. Out of office hours please contact the duty press officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned

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