Inequalities and challenges experienced by disabled people in Scotland: evidence review
This evidence review synthesises available evidence on the inequalities (where comparable data is available) and challenges experienced by disabled people in Scotland drawing on research from the period 2019 to 2025.
Appendix 6: Poverty Measure definitions
Relative poverty is the most commonly used poverty measure. The relative poverty line is 60% of the UK median income in the same year. People are in relative poverty if they live in a household whose equivalised income is below this amount. Relative poverty statistics fall if income growth at the lower end of the income distribution is greater than overall income growth.
The absolute poverty line is 60% of the inflation-adjusted UK median income in 2010/11. People are in absolute poverty if they live in a household whose equivalised income is below this amount. Absolute poverty statistics fall if low income households are seeing their incomes rise faster than inflation.
The severe poverty line is 50% of the UK median income in the same year. People are in severe poverty if they live in a household whose equivalised income is below this amount. Severe poverty statistics fall if income growth at the lowest end of the income distribution is greater than overall income growth.
Material deprivation is an additional way of measuring living standards and refers to the self-reported ability of individuals or households to afford goods and activities that are typical in society at a given point in time.