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Households Below Average Income (HBAI)
The Households Below Average Income (HBAI) report presents information on UK living standards based on household income measures for financial year ending (FYE) 2023. Estimates are provided for average incomes, income inequality, and for the number and percentage of people living in low-income households. The statistics are the UK’s primary source of poverty estimates and, with a larger sample size, are also the main source on household incomes.
The HBAI statistics are commonly referred to as ‘poverty statistics’ which show the number or percentage of people living in poverty. This publication uses terms such as ‘income statistics’ and ‘people living in low-income households’ to describe more precisely what the data reflects. Although low income is a significant aspect of poverty, there are other aspects of poverty too. This publication also includes measures of ‘material deprivation’, which provide an indication of peoples’ ability to access or afford a range of everyday goods and services. Supporting statistics are also provided on household food security levels and prevalence of food bank usage for all individuals in the UK, including those in low-income households.
NOTE: DWP have advised caution when comparing the latest data with previous years as some of the data sources were affected during COVID due to difficulties in collection and that no data collection was carried out during 2020/21. The data suggests that poverty in the North East has fallen. Local free school meal data, (a good proxy measure for poverty), in County Durham has continued to rise. Further details can be found on the Free School Meals page.
Further details can be found on the GOV.UK website.
Note: Data presented below is based on a 3-year rolling average, with adjustments made for 2020/21 (COVID year) where no data was collected.
Useful Links
Households Below Average Income: GOV.UK
Data: StatXplore