IMD: Indices of Deprivation 2025 - WMCA Wards (2024)

This dataset presents the latest relative measures of deprivation across England, compiling data for 33,755 LSOAs using the Index of Multiple Deprivation 2025 (IMD25) framework. It includes:

• A ranking of neighbourhoods from most to least deprived, enabling comparative analysis rather than absolute measurement.
• Seven domain indices (Income; Employment; Education, Skills & Training; Health Deprivation & Disability; Crime; Barriers to Housing & Services; Living Environment) which are weighted and aggregated to form the overall IMD25.
• Two supplementary indices: the Income Deprivation Affecting Children Index (IDACI) and the Income Deprivation Affecting Older People Index (IDAOPI)
• Summary data for higher-level geographies (Local Authority Districts, Integrated Care Boards, etc) derived from the LSOA data.

Geographic unit: Administrative wards.

Temporal Reference

This is a cross-sectional release representing a “snapshot” of relative deprivation. While previous versions (e.g., IoD2019) exist, changes to methodology, indicators and geographies mean that direct time-series comparisons should be approached with caution.

Purpose / Use Cases

• To identify and compare areas of relative deprivation across England at small-area level.
• To support resource allocation, policymaking, service planning, and funding applications by local and national organisations.
• To explore the different domains of deprivation and their spatial patterns.

Caveats & Limitations

• The indices measure relative deprivation only. A rank of “1” identifies the most deprived area relative to others, but this does not quantify the absolute extent of deprivation.
• The dataset does not identify deprived individuals nor does it measure affluence.
• Comparisons over time (especially across versions) are limited because of changes to data sources, indicator definitions, and geography.
• The data apply exclusively to England and should not be directly compared with similar indices from Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland.

Methodological Summary

• Indicators: 55 indicators used in this version (an increase from 39 in IoD2019) including new and revised measures of income benefit claimants, pupil absence, broadband connectivity, energy performance certificates, access to private gardens, noise pollution, and more.
• Domain weights: Income 22.5%; Employment 22.5%; Education/Skills 13.5%; Health 13.5%; Crime 9.3%; Barriers to Housing & Services 9.3%; Living Environment 9.3%.
• Extensive quality assurance and validation of indicators and inputs has been conducted.

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