The Northern Ireland Poverty Bulletin 2014/15 is released

Date published: 28 June 2016

A publication entitled “The Northern Ireland Poverty Bulletin 2014/15” was published today by the Department for Communities.

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

The bulletin provides analysis on three measures of poverty:

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

A more detailed report ‘The Households Below Average Income’, which is due to be published in August/September 2016, will include details on the statistical significance of the difference between these estimates and those produced for the financial year 2013/14.

Key findings with regard to Relative Poverty are summarised below:

  • In 2014/15 average (median) household income in Northern Ireland before housing costs was £420 per week or £21,900 per year, representing a three percent increase 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 relative poverty.   
  • 22% of individuals were in poverty in 2014/15, approximately 395,100 individuals.  This compares to 21% the previous year.
  • 25% of children were in poverty in 2014/15, approximately 109,500 children.  This compares to 23% the previous year.
  • 21% of working-age adults were in poverty in 2014/15, approximately 226,400 working-age adults.  This compares to 20% the previous year.
  • 20% of pensioners were in poverty in 2014/15, approximately 59,200 pensioners.  This compares to 21% the previous year.

The figures noted above are presented on a Before Housing Costs (BHC) basis. 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 2014 to March 2015 
  2. This bulletin provides high level figures in advance of the Households Below Average Income Northern Ireland (HBAI) 2014/15 publication, which is due to be released in October/November 2016
  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 available 
  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 2014/15 the threshold was £277 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 £277 per week would be considered to be in relative poverty
  6. All monetary amounts quoted in the key findings are in 2014/15 prices and any changes presented are in real terms i.e. after adjusting for inflation
  7. The Northern Ireland Poverty Bulletin 2014/15 is now available
  8. All media queries should be directed to the Department for Communities Press Office on  028 9082 9468 or email press.office@communities-ni.gov.uk. Out of office hours please contact the duty press officer via pager number 0769 9715440 and your call will be returned.

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