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Key Facts

  • 17% (870,000) of people live in poverty
  • 20% (200,000) of children live in poverty
  • 16% (160,000) of pensioners live in poverty
  • 16% (510,000) of working age adults live in poverty
  • 6% are poor but in work - so work is not necessarily enough to lift you from poverty
  • 77% of people in poverty live outside 15% 'most deprived' data zones

Tackling Poverty in Scotland

street scene Reducing inequalities in income and opportunity is critical to achieving the Scottish Government's aim of making Scotland a better, fairer place for everyone, no matter where they live.

While the prosperity of the country as a whole is improving, the inequalities in income and other negative outcomes are widening. The causes and consequences of poverty are complex and require concerted action across government to address community, economic, cultural and environmental factors.

The Scottish Government will do everything within its powers to find ways of reducing those inequalities, not only in income, but in all the other factors that lead to some people in Scotland being more disadvantaged than the majority.

  • Tackling Poverty in Scotland

    Poverty is more than a lack of income. To improve the life chances of people and target the causes of poverty we need to work together across Government at a national and local level

  • Policy

    Reducing inequalities in income and opportunity is critical to achieving the Scottish Government's aim of making Scotland a better, fairer place for everyone, no matter where they live.

  • Child Poverty

    The Child Poverty Strategy sets out plans to reduce levels of child poverty, and to ensure that as few children as possible experience any kind of socio-economic disadvantage.

  • Managing Your Money

    Good money management and access to appropriate financial services plays an important part in tackling poverty in Scotland.

  • Tackling Poverty Board

    The Tackling Poverty Board was established by the Scottish Government and COSLA in September 2009 to assess the extent and impact of the implementation of Achieving our Potential

  • Learning Network

    The Employability & Tackling Poverty Learning Network (ETPLN) gives practical help and support to organisations and individuals working locally throughout Scotland.

Page updated: Thursday, August 25, 2011