The most deprived areas of Wales have been revealed, with the latest data showing how fortunes contrast wildly in different areas. The Office of National Statistics (ONS) has produced an interactive map exhibiting which communities have the highest rate of households affected by deprivation.
The south Wales valleys has some of the highest rates of deprivation in the country, according to the data. And within those areas there are neighbourhoods that have it worse than others.
An area's quality of education, employment, health and housing is used to determine if it's deprived. Some areas may be affected by just one factor, but other areas will be affected by a combination.
Lighter colours (from yellow) indicate the most deprived areas and darker colours (to dark blue) indicate the least deprived.
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According to the ONS, a household is classified as deprived in the education dimension if no-one has at least level two education and no-one aged 16 to 18 years is a full-time student. A household is classified as deprived in the employment dimension if any member, not a full-time student, is either unemployed or disabled.
In terms of health, a household is classified as deprived if any person in the household has general health that is bad or very bad or is identified as disabled. Households are classified as deprived in the housing dimension if the household's accommodation is either overcrowded, in a shared dwelling, or has no central heating.
Cardiff
The areas in Cardiff affected most by deprivation are highlighted in light green. These areas are present throughout the city, but are more prevalent on the outskirts. Areas such as Caerau, Ely, Llanedeyrn, St Mellons, Llanrumney and Trowbridge appear to contain a higher rate of homes affected by deprivation than other communities in Cardiff. In Ely East, 74% of households are affected by at least one type of deprivation. Cardiff Bay, Heath, Pontprennau and Radyr are amongst those areas with the lowest rate of homes affected by deprivation. In the communities of Creigiau, Pentyrch and St Fagans, more than 62% of households are not deprived in any dimension.
Swansea
According to the map, Ravenhill, Penderry and Townhill appear to be the communities with the highest levels of deprivation, whereas Sketty, Mayals, Skewen, Uplands and Llansamlet appear to be amongst those least affected. 71% of homes in Townhill are affected by deprivation, compared to 39% of homes in Mayals. Most communities in Swansea have a rate of affected homes that falls between 60% and 70%.
Newport
The most deprived parts of Newport according to the map include Bettws and Ringland. In Ringland, 71% of households are affected by at least one form of deprivation. The least deprived areas of Newport include Marshfield and Rogerstone, where around 60% of homes are "not deprived in any dimension". Most communities in Newport have a rate of affected homes that falls between 60% and 70%.
South Wales valleys
The south Wales valleys have higher levels of deprivation than other parts of Wales, particularly in the local authorities of Neath Port Talbot, Merthyr Tydfil, Aberdare, Caerphilly, Rhondda Cynon Taf and Torfaen. Within those areas, levels of deprivation vary.
For example, according to the Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation 2019 the most deprived community in south Wales - Lansbury Park - falls within Caerphilly borough. According to the map, the majority of homes on the housing estate are affected by deprivation, with up to 82% of homes affected on some streets. However, streets in the St Martins ward have around 25% to 30% of homes affected by at least one form of deprivation.
You can read about the reality of the crippling cost of living crisis in Lansbury Park here.
West Wales
Significantly fewer areas in west Wales are affected by high levels of deprivation compared to south Wales. Pembroke West, Cardigan, Haverfordwest and Milford Haven have fairly high rates of deprivation - with around 60% of homes affected in each area. Most communities in west Wales appear to have a moderate rate of affected homes, which are highlighted in light blue. In these areas, around 50% of households experience at least one type of deprivation. This includes St Davids, Whitland and Saundersfoot. Johnston, Crundale and Carmarthen West have a slightly lower rate of homes affected by deprivation - these rates fall between 40% and 50% of affected homes.
North-east Wales
Parts of north-east Wales are amongst the most deprived in Wales. These areas include Rhyl and Kinmel Bay. In Rhyl South West, around 70% of households are affected by deprivation according to the map. Other areas, such as Abergele, Denbigh West and Gronant have fairly high rates of deprivation, at around 60%. Around 50% of homes are affected by at least one type of deprivation in St Asaph, Dyserth and Mostyn.
Mid Wales
The majority of mid Wales appears to have a moderate rate of homes affected by at least one type of deprivation. Around 50% of households are affected in most areas, which is highlighted in light blue. This includes Builth Wells, Llanidloes and Llandovery. Llandrindod Wells, Welshpool, Newtown South and Cardigan have a higher rate of houses affected by deprivation, at around 60% each. You can view the interactive map here.
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