Consequences of social and economic inequality

  • Living in poverty has major consequences for a person’s life chances.
  • Those who are born into poverty often find it very difficult to escape from it.
  • There are clear links between poverty and poor health, crime and low education levels.

Poor health

Smokers 49% (m) 43% (f) deprived areas 26%(m) 24% (f). 2/3 of drink related deaths in poorer areas. Life expectancy 85.2 (affluent area) 74.5 (poorer area).

In 2016 in Glasgow, the average life expectancy of a rich female is 85.2, while women living in the city's poorest areas are only expected to reach 74.5.

More than two thirds of alcohol-related deaths in Scotland are in the country's most deprived areas. Also in these parts, 49% of men smoke regularly compared to 26% of men in the least deprived areas. The divide is similar for women, 43% smoke in the most deprived areas, compared to 24% in better off parts.

Deaths from heart disease are nearly five times higher in poorer areas and cancer deaths are almost twice as high. It is estimated that more than 6,000 children in Glasgow are living with a parent with a substance abuse problem.

The Scottish Government’s Equally Well document notes - a higher proportion of babies born to mothers living in poverty have a lower birth weight, compared to those born in more affluent, richer areas.