Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD)
The latest version of the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) was published by the government in September 2019. For key findings and other resources from the IMD 2019, see the Leeds Observatory Deprivation section.
The table below shows an overview of change between the IMD 2019 and IMD 2015.
Table 9.1
| Most 10% Deprived Nationally | IMD 2019 | IMD 2015 | change since IMD 2015 |
| Percentage of SOAs | 24% | 22% | +2 |
| Number of SOAs | 114 | 105 | +9 |
| Number of People | 186,300* | 164,000 | +22,334 |
| Source: MHCLG 2019 *ONS 2017 mid-year estimate | |||
The IMD measures relative levels of deprivation in 32,844 small areas or neighbourhoods, called Lower-layer Super Output Areas (LSOAs) in England. Leeds has 482 LSOAs. See Index of Multiple Deprivation – how it works for more information, including details about the data used.
The 2019 indices are based on the same methodology as the 2015 indices. Although it is not possible to use the IMD to measure real changes in the level of deprivation in places over time, it is possible to explore changes in relative deprivation, or changes in the pattern of deprivation, between this and previous updates of the IMD.
It should also be noted that the IMD is an overall measure of conditions in every neighbourhood in England. It is important to note that these statistics are a measure of relative deprivation, not affluence, and to recognise that not every person in a highly deprived area will themselves be experiencing deprivation. Likewise, there will be some people experiencing deprivation living in the least deprived areas.
The most common method of ranking local authorities with the IMD measures the proportion of LSOAs in the most deprived 10% nationally. Against this method, Leeds is ranked 33 out of 317 local authorities.
Analysis of the 10% Most Deprived LSOAs shows that Leeds has:
- 114 neighbourhoods (LSOAs) in the most deprived 10% nationally.
- This is 24% of all Leeds LSOAs, up 2 percentage places on IMD 2015.
- 186,334 people in Leeds live in areas that are ranked amongst the most deprived 10% nationally; the corresponding figure in the 2015 Index was 164,000 people.