Poverty in Scotland: methodology

Material deprivation

Material deprivation is an additional way of looking at people's living standards.  It refers to the self-reported ability of individuals or households to afford goods and activities that are seen as necessities in society.  The measures for children and pensioners differ slightly:

• Combined child material deprivation and low income considers the inability of households to afford basic goods and activities and well as taking into account household income.
• Pensioner material deprivation focuses on access to specific goods, services and experiences. 

Material deprivation measures were updated from 2023-24, following a Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) review of the FRS questions.  More information on the changes to material deprivation can be found in the publication methodology notes and DWP’s technical report.