The latest publication of the deprivation index by the Government has highlighted significant socio-economic disparities in Bristol. Released on November 17, 2025, this report marks the first update in six years, revealing persistent inequality in the city and across England. The data illustrates the stark contrast between affluent and deprived neighborhoods, with little improvement since the previous survey in 2019.
Bristol is home to both some of the wealthiest and most disadvantaged areas in England. For instance, the neighborhood of Henleaze ranks in the top 0.3 percent of affluent areas nationwide, while just under a mile away, Southmead contains one of the lowest three percent of deprived areas in the country. This juxtaposition underscores the city’s deep socio-economic divide.
The deprivation index evaluates various factors, including income, employment, health, education, and housing, categorizing every street and home into 33,755 neighborhoods. Bristol features 268 neighborhoods, revealing a troubling increase in inequality since the last assessment.
Prominently, six of the eight most deprived neighborhoods are located in Hartcliffe, with the remaining two in Withywood and Inns Court. The most affected area, identified as ‘Bristol 053E’, is situated in Hartcliffe and ranks as the 211th most deprived neighborhood in England. This places it within the bottom 0.6 percent of all neighborhoods assessed.
Further analysis shows that areas surrounding Morrisons in Hartcliffe and Maynard Road also rank among the top one percent of most deprived neighborhoods in England. Other regions, such as Withywood, Knowle West, Barton Hill, and Easton, along with smaller areas in Redcliffe, Southmead, and Henbury, are similarly placed in the bottom five percent of socio-economic deprivation.
Interestingly, the most deprived neighborhoods in the broader Bristol area extend beyond the city itself. The Bournville Estate in Weston-super-Mare contains two neighborhoods that fall into the lowest one percent of deprived areas. One of these, located south and west of Bournville Primary School, ranks as the 86th most deprived neighborhood in England.
In stark contrast, many Bristol neighborhoods are among the least deprived in the country. The top-ranking area, also in Henleaze, shows the lowest levels of deprivation in terms of income, crime, employment, education, environment, housing, and health. This neighborhood, designated as Bristol 011B, is one of only 103 areas in England that are less deprived.
The findings of this deprivation index prompt a critical examination of social and economic policies in Bristol. As the Government releases these figures, local communities, policymakers, and social advocates are called to address the persistent inequalities that affect the city’s residents. The gap between the affluent and deprived neighborhoods not only reflects economic disparities but also raises concerns about access to essential services, opportunities, and quality of life for those living in the most affected areas.
As Bristol continues to evolve, the ongoing challenges of inequality and deprivation demand urgent attention and action from all stakeholders involved.
