Children living in low income families

Year	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023	2024	2025
Percentage Shetland	7.2	8.7	8.7	10.1	8.6	10.2	12.8	8.7	9.4	9.2	9.2
Percentage Scotland	15.4	16.6	16.4	18.3	16.8	19.5	16.8	16.9	17.8	15.2	14.8

Note on statistics

Please note that these statistics have changed from what was previously published and reported. However, the trend remains similar. The reason for this change is that the statistics published in March 2025 and March 2026 reflect some methodological updates.

Trend and analysis

Data for Children Living in Low Income Families relates to Financial Year End (FYE). Where a year is referenced in the below analysis it should be taken as FYE, for example 2025 should be treated as Financial Year Ending 2025.

In 2024/25, Shetland had the third lowest level of children living in low-income families in Scotland, behind East Renfrewshire and East Dunbartonshire. 7.7% of children living in low-income families is, however, higher than Shetland Partnership’s baseline and target. In addition, the higher cost of living in remote and rural Scotland is not taken into account with these figures. The cost of living in Shetland is 20-65% higher than the UK mainland (Minimum Income Standard 2016). However, this figure does not take into account the Council's Winter Payments to low income families.

In general, the statistics in Scotland and Shetland have shown a gradual increase in levels of child poverty since the early 2010s (Scottish Government), although appear to be levelling off recently. Shetland levels have consistently been lower than Scotland as a whole. 

Child Poverty Action Group highlight that poverty rarely has a single cause and that in the past, child poverty levels in the UK have been significantly lower than they are today. A range of factors including: rising living costs, low pay, lack of work and inadequate social security benefits together, mean that some people do not have enough resources. 

Children in low income families tells part of the picture when looking at child poverty. Other indicators such as Free School Meal uptake, Education Maintenance Allowance and School Clothing Grants can be helpful to get a more rounded picture. 

The data for child poverty after housing costs for 2024/25 is now available, the data has been published here: Local Child Poverty Statistics - End Child Poverty. This data shows that Shetland had the third lowest child poverty rate (after housing costs) across all the Scottish council areas in 2024/25.

The Local Child Poverty Action Report contains further detail about how the partnership is monitoring and working to overcome child poverty in Shetland. 

Last updated: May 2026