Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD)
\ˈɪndɛks\ \ʌv\ \ˈmʌltəpəl\ \ˌdɛprəˈveɪʃən\
A UK government statistical tool used to measure and compare levels of deprivation across small geographic areas. It combines data across multiple domains to produce an overall deprivation score and ranking for each area.
The most recent IMD for England, released in 2019, includes seven domains of deprivation:
- Income
- Employment
- Education, skills and training
- Health deprivation and Disability
- Barriers to Housing and Services
- Crime
- Living Environment
Similar indices are produced for Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, tailored to their specific contexts.
These measures are widely used in public policy, research, and resource allocation to identify areas most in need of support and investment.