Government Unveils Deprivation Index Highlighting Bristol’s Inequality

The Government has published the latest deprivation index, revealing significant socio-economic inequality in Bristol. This marks the first update in six years, and the data shows persistent gaps between affluent and deprived areas within the city.

According to the English Indices of Deprivation 2025, Bristol contains some of England’s wealthiest neighbourhoods alongside some of its most disadvantaged areas. For instance, the affluent community in Henleaze ranks in the top 0.3 percent of neighbourhoods nationwide, while just under a mile away, Southmead is among the bottom three percent of most deprived areas in the country.

The deprivation index assesses various factors, including income, employment, health, education, and housing conditions. These categories are instrumental in illustrating the living standards across the city. The results categorize every street and household into one of 33,755 neighbourhoods, allowing for a detailed examination of socio-economic conditions.

Bristol is divided into 268 neighbourhoods, often comprising merely a handful of streets. The latest findings indicate that inequality has worsened since the previous survey in 2019. In particular, six of the eight most deprived areas are located in Hartcliffe, with the remaining two in nearby Withywood and Inns Court. The most affected area, designated as ‘Bristol 053E’, spans from Fulford Road to the tower blocks on Bishport Avenue and ranks as the 211th most deprived neighbourhood in England, placing it in the bottom 0.6 percent nationally.

Interestingly, the most deprived neighbourhood in the Bristol region is not within the city itself. The Bournville Estate in Weston-super-Mare features two neighbourhoods that fall within the lowest one percent of deprived areas in England, with one being the 86th most deprived overall.

The findings also highlight that while much of Hartcliffe, Withywood, Knowle West, Barton Hill, and Easton rank among the bottom five percent for deprivation, Bristol also boasts several areas of relative affluence. The least deprived neighbourhood, located in Henleaze, ranks among just 103 others in England that are better off. This neighbourhood, known as Bristol 011B, is situated south of Southmead Hospital, which itself is part of one of the most deprived areas in the country.

The stark contrast in living conditions across Bristol underscores the persistent socio-economic divides that the latest deprivation index has brought to light. The Government’s report serves as a critical reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by many communities in the city, prompting calls for targeted interventions and support to address these disparities.