Family resources survey and poverty analysis

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The Family Resources Survey collects detailed information on the incomes and circumstances of private households from April to March each year. The survey has been carried out in Great Britain since 1992, but in 2002-03 it was introduced to Northern Ireland for the first time. 

Northern Ireland Family Resource Survey

This series provides annual summaries of the key findings from the Northern Ireland Family Resources Survey. The reports include information on income (and sources of income), housing tenure, caring needs and responsibilities, disability, pension participation, occupation, employment, savings and investments.

The next edition of the Family Resources Survey for Northern Ireland is due to be released in Autumn 2023.

Northern Ireland poverty bulletin

The Northern Ireland poverty bulletin uses data collected from the Family Resources Survey to provide estimates of the proportion and number of children, working age adults and pensioners living in low income households in Northern Ireland.

The bulletin uses household disposable incomes, adjusted for household size and composition, as a proxy for material living standards, or more precisely for the level of consumption of goods and services that people could attain given the disposable income of the household in which they live.

The next edition of the Northern Ireland Poverty Bulletin, covering the survey year of 2021/22 is due to be released in Spring 2023.

Northern Ireland households below average income

The Households below average income (HBAI report) for Northern Ireland publication uses data collected in the Family Resources Survey (FRS) with a focus on income and living standards. The statistics and commentary give an insight into the standard of living of the household population in Northern Ireland.

The HBAI uses household disposable incomes, adjusted for household size and composition, as a proxy for material living standards, or more precisely for the level of consumption of goods and services that people could attain given the disposable income of the household in which they live. 

The next edition of the Households below average income (HBAI report) for Northern Ireland is due to be released in Summer 2023.

Poverty research

The following research reports were produced as part of the Department’s Economic and Social Research Programme.

Results of user survey conducted in March 2022

In March 2022 the Department for Communities conducted a user survey into how the Northern Ireland Poverty Bulletin (NIPB), the NI Households Below Average Income (HBAI) report and the NI Family Resources Survey (FRS) report were being used. The below report summarises the findings from that survey.

Family Resources Survey urban rural report - Northern Ireland (Discontinued)

The urban rural report for Northern Ireland provides information on incomes and circumstances of households in Northern Ireland, focusing on urban rural differences. The Family Resources Survey is the main data source for urban rural analysis.

Changes to Urban Rural Classifications

In 2015 the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency carried out a Review of the Statistical Classification and Delineation of Settlements. The outworkings of this review has lead to a change in the Urban Rural classifications used in the Family Resources Survey urban rural report for Northern Ireland. The following statistical note provides details on the changes.

The final Family Resources Survey urban rural report Northern Ireland 2014/15 was released on 22 March 2017. This was withdrawn in 2019 following a consultation and the tables are now part of the Family Resources Survey report and the Households below average income (HBAI Report) for Northern Ireland.

Pensioners' income series - Northern Ireland (Discontinued)

This series contains estimates of the level and trends of pensioners' incomes in Northern Ireland based on the Family Resources Survey, Northern Ireland.

The final Northern Ireland pensioners' incomes series bulletin 2014/15 was released on 22 February 2017. This was withdrawn in 2019 following a consultation and the tables are now part of the Family Resources Survey report..

Following public consultation in 2009 the following two publications were discontinued:

  • Individual income series - Northern Ireland - Information on weekly incomes of men and women in Northern Ireland by family type, source of income, age, marital status and employment status
  • Income related benefits, estimates of take-Up - Northern Ireland -Information on the take-up of the main income-related benefits in Northern Ireland: Income Support, Minimum Income Guarantee/Pension Credit, Housing Benefit and Jobseeker's Allowance (Income-Based)

Historic publications are available on request by contacting the Professional Services Unit. 

Family Resources Survey grossing review 2014

In 2014 a grossing review was carried out to all Family Resources Survey and households below average income datasets to incorporate the 2011 census information that became available.  The following statistical note provides a summary of this review and the subsequent effect on the back series datasets:

Family Resources Survey/households below average income user group

Regular engagement with users enhances the value of the Northern Ireland Family Resources Survey. A FRS/HBAI User Group was set up to meet biannually to facilitate user engagement. Membership of the user group consists of representatives from each funding body, providers of the survey and external users from a range of sectors.

The survey contains information which will be of interest to researchers and analysts from a wide range of disciplines in both the public and private sectors. The database can be accessed through the UK Data Service. 

Published and upcoming reports produced by PSU using NI FRS are also listed on GOV.UK. They can be found here:

You can also view the United Kingdom/ Great Britain reports:

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Related to Family resources survey and poverty analysis

Most recent publications

Family Resources Survey report 2020 - 2021

Northern Ireland Poverty Bulletin 2020-21

Most recent news items

Family Resources Survey for Northern Ireland 2016-17 published

The Northern Ireland Poverty Bulletin 2016/17 is released

Access to information

How to request information from the Department for Communities including Freedom of Information (FOI) and the use of our Publication Scheme. You may also request your own personal information, via a Right of Access Request.

Most recent consultations

Withdrawal of the Northern Ireland Pensioners Income Series Bulletin, and Family Resources Survey Urban Rural Report consultation

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