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August 27, 2025 Understanding the relationship between poverty and crime and violence
The link between poverty and children’s involvement in crime and violence is well established. But the details of this relationship are complex and not fully understood.
To explore these complexities, the Youth Endowment Fund commissioned a systematic review by the Jill Dando Institute Research Laboratory at University College London (UCL).
The review examined research on young people aged 5 to 18. It focused on how different aspects of poverty relate to both violent and non-violent crime. It drew on studies from the UK and similar countries and also identified poverty-reducing interventions that YEF could evaluate for their impact on violence.
Why poverty matters to the Youth Endowment Fund
Our goal is to prevent children and young people from becoming involved in violence. That means understanding the pressures and circumstances – including poverty – that increase that risk.
Key takeaways from the review
- Poverty is a risk factor: It is associated with a small increased risk of crime and violence, though the review could not establish it as a direct cause.
- Different types of poverty matter: Financial problems (such as food insecurity, debt and financial worries) showed the strongest link, followed by low income, neighbourhood deprivation and low socioeconomic status.
- Violence vs. non-violence: Neighbourhood deprivation was most linked to non-violent crime, while low income was most linked to violent crime.
- Boys and girls experience risk differently: For example, higher socioeconomic status reduced risk more for girls than for boys in relation to violent crime.
- Family structure plays a role: Higher income was more protective for children in single-parent families, while lower socioeconomic status posed greater risk.
- Perception matters: Feeling worse off than peers may contribute to risk, though more research is needed.
Although the review cannot confirm poverty as a cause, it highlights how different forms of poverty affect children’s risks in different ways and identifies gaps in the evidence base.
Next steps
To build on this review, YEF is partnering with King’s College London and Impact on Urban Health to test whether direct financial support can improve young people’s mental health and wellbeing and reduce the chances they’ll become involved in violence.
Download report
Download YEF’s Evidence Review on Poverty and Youth Crime and Violence
Download the summary