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We commissioned OCSI to undertake research to help fill gaps in the evidence base on rural deprivation, which was highlighted by our Disadvantage Study in 2006. The outputs from the project will inform our policy position on issues related to rural disadvantage.

In particular we're looking to enhance the existing research-base on rural deprivation, as well as informing and supporting further research and qualitative assessment of the nature and characteristics of deprivation affecting communities in rural areas.

The report's evidence does not provide an alternative to the ranking of local areas on the Index of Multiple Deprivation. It's been specifically designed to estimate the overall rural share of deprivation at an output area, regional and national level, and to identify very small area 'hotspots'.

This means that the analysis can be used to highlight the existence of rural deprivation even in areas which are relatively prosperous.

Download the maps for this report

The datasets for this report are available on OCSI's website