UK Poverty Line Calculator
Determine whether your household income falls below the official UK poverty threshold
What is the UK Poverty Line?
The UK poverty line is officially defined as households earning less than 60% of the median household income. This relative poverty measure adjusts annually based on changes in typical household earnings across the country. The median income for 2022/23 was £621 per week before housing costs and £545 per week after housing costs.
Poverty measurement in the UK considers both relative and absolute thresholds. Relative poverty compares current incomes to contemporary median levels, whilst absolute poverty uses a fixed baseline from 2010/11, adjusted for inflation. Most official statistics focus on the relative measure as it reflects current living standards.
Current Poverty Thresholds (2022/23)
| Household Type | Before Housing Costs | After Housing Costs |
|---|---|---|
| Single person (working age) | £224/week | £190/week |
| Single pensioner | £224/week | £190/week |
| Couple (no children) | £373/week | £327/week |
| Lone parent with 1 child | £313/week | £263/week |
| Couple with 2 children | £622/week | £530/week |
Current UK Poverty Statistics
Overall Poverty Rates
14.3 million people (21% of the UK population) live in relative poverty after housing costs in 2022/23. Before housing costs, this figure stands at 11.4 million people (17% of the population).
Child Poverty
4.5 million children (31% of all children) live in relative poverty as of 2023/24. This represents a record high, with particularly severe impacts on families with multiple children.
Deep Poverty
6 million people experience very deep poverty, with incomes 59% below the poverty line. This represents 4 in 10 people already classified as living in poverty.
Regional Variations
London shows higher poverty rates after housing costs, with 36% of children aged 5-9 and 41% of teenagers living in households below the poverty line.
Frequently Asked Questions
Household income includes all sources: earnings from employment, benefits, pensions, investment income, and other regular payments. The income is then adjusted (equivalised) to account for household size and composition, allowing fair comparison between different family types.
Before Housing Costs (BHC) includes all income before deducting housing expenses like rent, mortgage payments, and council tax. After Housing Costs (AHC) removes these expenses, providing a clearer picture of disposable income for other necessities. AHC is often considered more accurate for assessing living standards.
The relative poverty line adjusts annually because it’s based on 60% of the current median income. As wages and living standards change across the UK, the poverty threshold moves accordingly. This ensures the measure reflects contemporary living standards rather than historical baselines.
Households below the poverty threshold may be eligible for various support schemes including Universal Credit, Housing Benefit, Child Benefit, Council Tax Support, and free school meals. Local councils and charities also provide additional assistance programmes for families in financial hardship.
The UK’s poverty rate of 21% (after housing costs) places it in the middle range among developed nations. Countries like Denmark and Finland have lower rates around 12-15%, whilst the United States shows higher rates around 24-26%. These comparisons use similar relative poverty methodologies.
Minimum Income Standards
Beyond the official poverty line, the Minimum Income Standard (MIS) research identifies what different household types need for an acceptable standard of living. Based on public consensus about essential needs, MIS budgets typically exceed poverty thresholds significantly.
For 2025, a single person requires £28,000 annually to meet minimum acceptable standards, whilst a couple with two children needs £61,000 gross annual earnings. These figures highlight the gap between avoiding poverty and achieving basic social inclusion.
Types of Poverty in the UK
Relative Poverty
Households earning less than 60% of median income. This measure adjusts with overall economic conditions and reflects contemporary living standards. Most UK poverty statistics use this definition.
Absolute Poverty
Households earning less than 60% of 2010/11 median income, adjusted for inflation. This fixed measure shows whether the poorest households improve over time regardless of broader economic changes.
Persistent Poverty
Individuals experiencing relative poverty for at least two years out of three consecutive years. This affects 12% of the population after housing costs and indicates chronic financial difficulty.
Material Deprivation
Inability to afford basic necessities like adequate heating, nutritious food, or essential household items. Often measured alongside income poverty to provide fuller pictures of hardship.
References
- Department for Work and Pensions. (2024). Households Below Average Income: An analysis of the UK income distribution FYE 1995 to FYE 2024. London: HMSO.
- Joseph Rowntree Foundation. (2025). UK Poverty 2025: The essential guide to understanding poverty in the UK. York: JRF.
- Office for National Statistics. (2024). Average household income, UK: financial year ending 2023. Newport: ONS.
- Trust for London. (2024). Poverty definitions and thresholds. London: Trust for London.
- Loughborough University Centre for Research in Social Policy. (2025). A Minimum Income Standard for the United Kingdom in 2025. Loughborough: CRSP.
- End Child Poverty Coalition. (2025). Child Poverty Statistics 2025. London: ECPC.
- Institute for Fiscal Studies. (2024). Living standards, poverty and inequality in the UK. London: IFS.