Affluence and deprivation index: how it works

Index measures 10 key indicators based on information contained in the 2011 census

These maps are part of an All-Island Atlas project by AIRO and ICLRD. Data source: Central Statistics Office and the Northern Ireland Statistics and Reseach Centre.
These maps are part of an All-Island Atlas project by AIRO and ICLRD. Data source: Central Statistics Office and the Northern Ireland Statistics and Reseach Centre.

The affluence and deprivation index is used by policymakers to help guide where health centres should be built, where bus routes are needed, or where job-creation programmes should be focused.

It was developed by social and economic consultants Trutz Haase and Jonathan Pratschke and measures 10 key indicators based on information contained in the 2011 census.

They include the proportion of skilled professionals, people with high levels of education, employment, single-parent households and other indicators. The index does not refer to personal wealth, which is not covered in the census.

Haase points out that affluence closely correlates with education, skills and labour market status, which are covered in the census.

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He argues that negative equity, for example, is not a reliable long-term indicator of wealth or affluence, as a person can ultimately trade their way out of this over time.

These figures are used to generate maps that are detailed to street level, based on “small-area statistics” that relate to between 80 and 100 households on average.

Carl O'Brien

Carl O'Brien

Carl O'Brien is Education Editor of The Irish Times. He was previously chief reporter and social affairs correspondent