Poverty and living standards in Scotland, United Kingdom: official figures
14.8% of children under 16 in Scotland lived in relative low-income families after housing costs in 2024-25, compared with 26.0% across the UK and 15.2% a year earlier; the lowest rate of the 12 UK nations and regions.
How many children are in poverty in Scotland before housing costs?
Before housing costs are deducted, the child poverty rate in Scotland was 12.3% in 2024-25 (UK 19.3%), which means housing costs pushed a further 2.5 percentage points of children below the line.
Source: Office for National Statistics · saved copyHow many people are on unemployment benefits in Scotland?
3.0% of working-age residents in Scotland were claiming unemployment-related benefits in 2025, against 3.9% for the UK; five years earlier, in 2020, the claimant rate was 5.4%.
Source: Office for National Statistics · saved copyWhat is the average house price in Scotland?
The average house price in Scotland was £198,397 in August 2026, 73% of the UK average of £273,037 and 16.2% higher than in August 2021; that is 2nd cheapest of 12 UK nations and regions.
Source: Office for National Statistics · saved copyHow many first-time buyers are there in Scotland?
First-time buyers in Scotland took out 11.2 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 Scotland?
Spending on social protection, which covers state pensions, benefits and social care, was £6,123 per person in Scotland in 2024-25 (UK £5,475), 3rd highest of 12 UK nations and regions.
Source: HM Treasury · saved copyHow Scotland compares with other nations
Children under 16 in relative low income, after housing costs (%) (2024-25)
Scotland ranks 12 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)
Scotland ranks 12 of 12, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Children under 16 in relative low income, before housing costs (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | Wales | 21.2% |
| 7 | Northern Ireland | 18.9% |
| 8 | South West | 16.3% |
| 9 | East of England | 16.1% |
| 10 | London | 15.6% |
| 11 | South East | 13.0% |
| 12 | Scotland | 12.3% |
People aged 16 to 64 claiming unemployment-related benefits (%) (2025)
Scotland ranks 11 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)
Scotland ranks 11 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)
Scotland ranks 3 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 Scotland: 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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