Children in Low-Income Families
Children in Low-Income Families (CiLIF) statistics provide annual estimates of the number and proportion of children living in low-income families across the UK, including local authority, parliamentary constituency and ward level data. The statistics are produced using administrative data from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), offering a more detailed local picture of child poverty than is available from household surveys alone. Figures are aligned with the national Households Below Average Income (HBAI) framework and are published for both relative and absolute low-income measures, before housing costs and, more recently, after housing costs.
The CiLIF dataset provides the most comprehensive small-area measure of child poverty in the UK, using linked administrative data on benefits, tax credits, earnings and family circumstances. It enables consistent comparison of child poverty rates between local areas and supports evidence-based policy making and service planning.
Relative low-income
Relative low-income measures whether a child lives in a family with income below 60% of the current national median income and is therefore an indicator of inequality and living standards relative to the wider population. Relative low-income is generally the preferred measure when comparing levels of child poverty between areas.
Relative low-income asks: “How far behind is a family compared with typical households today?”
Absolute low-income
Absolute low-income measures whether a child lives in a family with income below a fixed income threshold (adjusted for inflation) and therefore indicates whether living standards are improving over time. The latest reference point is based on 2025 median income.
Absolute low-income asks: “Is a family’s real living standard higher than a fixed benchmark over time?”
Before Housing Costs (BHC)
A measure of household income before any housing expenses (such as rent or mortgage payments) are deducted. It shows a household’s total income available when entering the housing market.
After Housing Costs (AHC):
A measure of household income after housing expenses (such as rent, mortgage interest, water charges, and buildings insurance) have been deducted. It shows how much money a household has left for other essentials.
In simple terms:
- BHC = income before paying for housing
- AHC = income after paying for housing
AHC is often considered a better measure of living standards and poverty because it reflects the money people actually have available after meeting their housing costs.
Key methodological points
- Based on administrative records covering Universal Credit, Housing Benefit, Tax Credits, Child Benefit, earnings and pension data.
- Uses the RAPID database to identify family relationships, household composition and income.
- Income measures are adjusted (equivalised) to account for differences in family size and composition, allowing comparisons between households.
- Statistics are calibrated to national HBAI estimates to ensure consistency with the UK’s official low-income measures.
- Rates are calculated using mid-year population estimates for children aged 0 to 15.
- CiLIF is the recommended source for analysing child poverty at local and small-area geographies, while HBAI remains the primary source for national and regional comparisons across age groups.