Children living in low income families

Year	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023	2024	2025
Percentage Shetland (previous method)	7.2	8.7	8.7	10.1	8.6	10.2	12.8	8.7	9.4	9.2
Percentage Shetland (updated method)								6.7	7.1	7.2	7.7
Percentage Scotland								15.1	14.8	12.1	12.3

Note on statistics

Please note: The calculation method for this measure changed from 2022 onwards, meaning figures before and after this point are not directly comparable. Data on Children Living in Low Income Families is reported by Financial Year End (FYE), so 2025 refers to the financial year ending 2025. The chart therefore shows estimates based on the previous and updated methodologies separately.

Trend and analysis

In 2024/25, Shetland had the fourth lowest level of children living in low-income families (before housing costs) in Scotland, behind East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire and Aberdeenshire with 7.7%. This is, however, a 0.5% increase on the year prior, and is higher than the Shetland Partnership’s baseline and target. There has been a steady, 1% increase since 2022. In Scotland, 12.3% of children were living in low income families in 2024/25, compared with 12.1% the previous year. This remains lower than 15.1% in 2022 and 14.8% in 2023. 

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). The figures also do not take into account the Council’s Winter Payments to low income families. 

After housing costs, 9.3% of children in Shetland were living in low income families, the third lowest level in Scotland behind East Dunbartonshire (7.8%) and East Renfrewshire (8.5%). The Scottish average was 14.8%, and the highest level was in Glasgow City with 23.3%. 

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. 

The proportion of children living in low-income families only 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 Local Child Poverty Action Report contains further detail about how the partnership is monitoring and working to overcome child poverty in Shetland. 

Last updated: July 2026