Fuel poverty estimates for Wales (headline results): 2018

A household is regarded as being in fuel poverty if they are unable to keep their home warm at a reasonable cost.

In Wales, this is measured as any household that would have to spend more than 10% of their income on maintaining a satisfactory heating regime. Any household having to spend more than 20% is defined as being in severe fuel poverty.

Vulnerable households are defined as those with a person aged 60 years or over, a child or young person under the age of 16 years and/or a person who is disabled or has a long term limiting condition.

Main points

• 155,000 households in Wales were living in fuel poverty, equivalent to 12% of households.
• 32,000 households were living in severe fuel poverty, equivalent to 2% of households.
• 130,000 vulnerable households in Wales were living in fuel poverty, equivalent to 11% of vulnerable households.
• 19,000 vulnerable households were living in severe fuel poverty, equivalent to 2% of vulnerable households.
• The percentage of households in fuel poverty has decreased from 26% in 2008. Initial indications show that this is a result of increased household incomes and reduced household energy requirements due to energy efficiency improvements outweighing increases in fuel prices.