Affluence in Birmingham
How Birmingham ranks on deprivation and income, and the work and qualifications behind it.
- Council
- Birmingham
- Region
- West Midlands
- Population
- 1,162,913 (2024)
BirminghamCity
How well off Birmingham is
On the English Indices of Deprivation 2025, Birmingham scores 2.8 out of 10, placing it more deprived than most of England. Its lowest-scoring category is children in low-income families (2.7 out of 10). Scores are ranked within England only, so they can’t be compared across UK nations.
- Children in low-income families2.7
- Income2.7
- Employment2.7
- Health and disability2.8
- Older people in low-income households3.2
- Crime3.2
- Education and skills3.3
- Living environment3.8
- Barriers to housing and services5.4
Household income
Average yearly household income before tax (2022/23), estimated for local neighbourhoods.
Who is in work
47% of adults in Birmingham are in work, below the England average of 55.7%. 14.9% are retired and 13.7% are full-time students.
Social grade
22.8% of adults in Birmingham work in managerial or professional jobs, well below the England average of 33.2%.
Highest qualification
28.3% of adults in Birmingham hold a degree or equivalent, below the England average of 33.9%. 24.7% have no qualifications.
Sources: English Indices of Deprivation 2025; ONS small area income estimates; Census 2021 (ONS). Open Government Licence v3.0.