The most and least prosperous places to live in the UK

New study reveals there's more to a 'prosperous' life than money.

Wolverhampton has been named the least ‘prosperous’ place to live in the UK, in a new study by the Legatum Institute thinktank.

The Institute has published its first ever ‘Geography of Prosperity’ Index, which is based on both the average income per person and a happiness score.

It revealed a number of interesting trends, including the fact that Scotland beats England’s level of average prosperity.

However, both are beaten overall by Northern Ireland, as a result of “high life-satisfaction” scores. Three areas in Northern Ireland – West/South Northern Ireland, Outer Belfast and East of Northern Ireland – make it into the top 10 when it comes to life-satisfaction. Interestingly though it’s the second poorest of the four nations of the UK, with an average income of just £17,900. Clearly there is more to happiness than just money!

The study uses local GDP figures and Office for National Statistics data to rank a total of 170 areas across the UK.

The MOST prosperous places to live

Here’s how the top five shape up:

#1 - Hammersmith & Fulham and Kensington & Chelsea

#2 - Westminster

#3 - Wandsworth

#4 - Camden and the City of London

#5 - Outer Hebrides

The LEAST prosperous places to live

And at the other end of the spectrum, the least prosperous places in the UK are:

#1 - Wolverhampton

#2 - Sandwell (West Midlands)

#3 - Blackpool

#4 - Liverpool

#5 - East Derbyshire

Sian Hansen, executive director of the Legatum Institute, said that the index shows that prosperity is about more than just wealth. She added: “Some of the most prosperous areas of the country are those where, regardless of their income, people have the opportunity to lead healthy, fulfilling and prosperous lives.”

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