Deprivation: key data sources

Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD)

The SIMD can be used to measure multiple deprivation back to 1996. The latest version (SIMD 2020) was published in January 2020. Data are also available for the SIMD 2004, 2006, 2009, 2012 and 2016.  

An interactive mapping tool is available. Further information and links to data, including spatial data, are available from the Scottish Government.

Population-weighted SIMD data are available from Public Health Scotland.

Carstairs and Morris Index 

The Carstairs and Morris Index was originally developed in the 1980s using 1981 Census data. It is currently available for 1981, 1991, 2001 and 2011. To measure area deprivation prior to 1996, and to monitor long-term trends, use of the Carstairs and Morris Index is recommended. The data can be downloaded as a lookup file by selecting SIMD version ‘All’ on this archived page.