Poverty across London

This indicator is now archived and will no longer be updated. Explore London’s Poverty Profile to view our up to date indicators. You might be interested in exploring poverty rates by London borough. If you have any questions, get in touch.

This map shows poverty rate estimates after housing costs for areas known as middle-layer super output areas (MSOAs). These are relatively small areas with an average population of 7,200. These statistics are experimental and so should be considered as indicative rather than definitive, but reveal interesting trends. 

Overall the map shows the large disparity of poverty outcomes both across and within London boroughs. The most concentrated areas of high poverty are in areas such as Tower Hamlets, Hackney, Newham, and the north east of London. There are also noticeable pockets of high poverty rates in areas in west London, such as in Brent and the north ends of Kensington & Chelsea and Westminster.

Only six MSOAs have a poverty rate below 10% in London, all in Outer London boroughs, whilst nine MSOAs have a poverty rate above 45%. Reflecting the significant disparity in outcomes within London boroughs, we see that most boroughs have areas that span either side of the average London poverty rate: only three boroughs have no area with a poverty rate above 28%, and only Hackney and Newham has no area below 28%.

Note: This data is for 2013-14. The data is not classified as national statistics and should be used with appropriate caution. Data source: ONS Small area model-based households in poverty estimates, England and Wales: financial year ending 2014. Link.