New government figures reveal 25% of private renters on the Isle of Man are living in relative poverty, with many struggling under rising housing costs and inflation.
The findings come from the Council of Ministers’ 2025 Annual Report on Poverty Measures.
The report shows 11% of all residents live below relative low-income thresholds, while 14.6% say they find it “difficult or very difficult” to manage on their current income.
Energy costs remain a key concern, with 13.6% of households reporting insufficient heating during winter months.
Government measures to address poverty include:
- A 48% increase in minimum wage since 2021, now £12.25/hour
- Plans to achieve parity with the Living Wage by 2026
- Energy efficiency upgrades for 3,974 homes
- A 10-year plan to build 1,000 affordable homes
Statistics Isle of Man is adopting the UK’s Below Average Resources (BAR) metric to better assess poverty levels. “This broader measure includes material deprivation and food security,” explained the report.
The report highlights particular challenges for young adults under 35, who represent a growing proportion of long-term benefit claimants, often due to mental health barriers and low skills.
Food bank use has risen sharply, with 400 parcels distributed monthly in 2023 increasing to 156 parcels weekly by December 2024.
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