Poverty and living standards in Northern Ireland, United Kingdom: official figures
20.5% of children under 16 in Northern Ireland lived in relative low-income families after housing costs in 2024-25, compared with 26.0% across the UK and 21.4% a year earlier; only 1 of the 12 UK nations and regions had a lower rate.
How many children are in poverty in Northern Ireland before housing costs?
Before housing costs are deducted, the child poverty rate in Northern Ireland was 18.9% in 2024-25 (UK 19.3%), which means housing costs pushed a further 1.6 percentage points of children below the line.
Source: Office for National Statistics · saved copyHow many people are on unemployment benefits in Northern Ireland?
3.1% of working-age residents in Northern Ireland were claiming unemployment-related benefits in 2025, against 3.9% for the UK; five years earlier, in 2020, the claimant rate was 4.4%.
Source: Office for National Statistics · saved copyWhat is the average house price in Northern Ireland?
The average house price in Northern Ireland was £202,487 in August 2026, 74% of the UK average of £273,037 and 34.5% higher than in August 2021; that is 3rd cheapest of 12 UK nations and regions.
Source: Office for National Statistics · saved copyHow many first-time buyers are there in Northern Ireland?
First-time buyers in Northern Ireland took out 10.3 mortgages per 1,000 dwellings in 2024, compared with 10.6 across the UK.
Source: Office for National Statistics · saved copyHow much is spent on benefits in Northern Ireland?
Spending on social protection, which covers state pensions, benefits and social care, was £6,628 per person in Northern Ireland in 2024-25 (UK £5,475), the highest of 12 UK nations and regions.
Source: HM Treasury · saved copyHow Northern Ireland compares with other nations
Children under 16 in relative low income, after housing costs (%) (2024-25)
Northern Ireland ranks 11 of 12, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Children under 16 in relative low income, after housing costs (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | East Midlands | 26.5% |
| 7 | Wales | 26.1% |
| 8 | East of England | 23.4% |
| 9 | South West | 23.1% |
| 10 | South East | 20.8% |
| 11 | Northern Ireland | 20.5% |
| 12 | Scotland | 14.8% |
Children under 16 in relative low income, before housing costs (%) (2024-25)
Northern Ireland ranks 7 of 12, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Children under 16 in relative low income, before housing costs (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | North West | 24.5% |
| 5 | East Midlands | 21.5% |
| 6 | Wales | 21.2% |
| 7 | Northern Ireland | 18.9% |
| 8 | South West | 16.3% |
| 9 | East of England | 16.1% |
| 10 | London | 15.6% |
People aged 16 to 64 claiming unemployment-related benefits (%) (2025)
Northern Ireland ranks 10 of 12, highest first.
| Rank | Region | People aged 16 to 64 claiming unemployment-related benefits (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | East Midlands | 3.5% |
| 7 | Wales | 3.3% |
| 8 | East of England | 3.2% |
| 9 | South East | 3.1% |
| 10 | Northern Ireland | 3.1% |
| 11 | Scotland | 3.0% |
| 12 | South West | 2.7% |
Average house price (£) (August 2026)
Northern Ireland ranks 10 of 12, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Average house price (£) |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | East Midlands | £241,955 |
| 7 | North West | £220,393 |
| 8 | Wales | £216,363 |
| 9 | Yorkshire and the Humber | £209,266 |
| 10 | Northern Ireland | £202,487 |
| 11 | Scotland | £198,397 |
| 12 | North East | £165,640 |
Public spending on social protection per head (£) (2024-25)
Northern Ireland ranks 1 of 12, highest first. Pensions, benefits and social care, Country and Regional Analysis
| Rank | Region | Public spending on social protection per head (£) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Northern Ireland | £6,628 |
| 2 | Wales | £6,471 |
| 3 | Scotland | £6,123 |
| 4 | North East | £6,111 |
| 5 | North West | £5,686 |
| 6 | West Midlands | £5,507 |
| 7 | Yorkshire and the Humber | £5,458 |
More on Northern Ireland: overview · economy and jobs · health · education and schools · government budget · government and politics · the United Kingdom
Sources
- Office for National Statistics: Explore Local Statistics: all datasets (spreadsheet generated 22 October 2026), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 ae2f3a7b3960…)
- HM Treasury: Country and Regional Analysis 2025: A tables, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 9a6a7af9e2bd…)
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