Indicator update: Children living in low income families

In Shetland, the percentage of children living in low income families decreased from 13.0% in 2020/21 to 11.6% in 2021/22 (DWP). Updated data, trends and analysis is available on our children living in low income families’ data page. 

Levels of child poverty had been increasing, for Shetland and Scotland, since 2014/15 until 2020/21.  In 2020/21, however, the percentage of children living in low income families in Scotland decreased, whilst Shetland’s increased.  Conversely, in 2021/22, the percentage of children living in low income families in Scotland increased for all local authorities except Shetland; with Shetland’s decreasing. While 11.6% is a reduction of children living in low income families compared to the previous year, this is still higher than pre-pandemic levels.

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.

Shetland has the 3rd lowest level of children living in low income families in Scotland with East Renfrewshire and East Dunbartonshire with 10.9% and 11.0% respectively. Glasgow City saw the highest percentage of children in low income families with 31.8%.