Child poverty statistics have recently been published covering the period just before the current pandemic. These suggest a gradual increase in child poverty levels since the early 2010s.

Two out of the four child poverty measures in the Child Poverty (Scotland) Act show a gradual increase, and two show little change. While the poverty risk is much lower for children where someone in the household is in paid work compared to those in workless households, not all work pays enough to lift the household above the poverty line. Over two thirds of children in poverty live in a household with someone in paid work.