English Index of Multiple Deprivation

Definition

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:

Income
Employment
Education, Skills, and Training
Health and Disability
Crime
Barriers to Housing and Services
Living Environment

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.

Also known as

IMD, Index of Deprivation

Relevance to OCSI

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.

Author

Stefan Noble
Director and Head of Research

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English Index of Multiple Deprivation

Definition

Also known as

Relevance to OCSI

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Interactive English Indices of Deprivation 2025 maps with the IMD explorer

Support for analysing and reporting on English Indices of Deprivation 2025

English Indices of Deprivation 2025

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