The Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) is the UK government’s official measure of relative deprivation in England. It ranks small areas (LSOAs) based on seven domains of deprivation:
The IMD provides a composite ranking of deprivation, highlighting the most disadvantaged areas in England, and helping identify pockets of deprivation in otherwise affluent areas.
IMD, Index of Deprivation
OCSI contributed to the development and refinement of the Index of Multiple Deprivation in 2015, 2019, and we are currently helping with the 2025 measure. It remains a cornerstone dataset underpinning Local Insight and other OCSI research projects, and is the most widely used measure of deprivation in the UK, directing billions in public spending annually.
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