JSNA People

1.1 Key Points

Wandsworth is home to an estimated 334,103 residents ¹, the second largest population in Inner London. Wandsworth is a large Inner London borough with a mobile, young, educated and economically active population. By 2034 the population is expected to increase to more than 342,00.

Since 2011 Census, Wandsworth population has increased by 6.7%. The previous increase between 2001 and 2011 was 17.9%. Since 2011, London’s population increased by 7.7%:

• Borough population grew by 20,505 residents from 2011 to 2021

• Wandsworth remained as the 8th largest borough in London; it is the 2nd largest borough in Inner London (after Newham).

• The median age in the borough is 33 years. This is lower than London (35 years) and England (40 years).

• Wandsworth is a popular place to live among young adults. Wandsworth currently has the 3rd highest percentage of 20-44 year olds in London (50%). Highest was Tower Hamlets (54.7%) then Islington.

• The borough has got older overall with the largest relative increase seen in the 45-64 year age group ².

• Local population increase is currently driven by natural change (more birth than deaths) and in the next 10 years will be driven by large new housing developments such as Nine Elms

• Of the projected population increase, 60% will take place in 4 wards–Queenstown, Fairfield, St. Mary’s Park and Thamesfield

• The largest increase in numbers will be among those aged 20-39 years, driven by internal migration from other parts of UK moving into the borough, but the largest percentage increase will be in age groups 60 years and older with the population of those aged 85+ years growing by 42% by 2029

• The BAME population will stay relatively similar at around 30%, and among children, BAME children will continue to make up almost 45% of the under 18 population.

The largest ethnic group in Wandsworth is White British. Almost 1 in 3 identify as Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME), a lower proportion than the average for London and Inner London. The BAME population is younger with a higher proportion of children and fewer older people. Wandsworth children’s population is 45% BAME, compared to 30% BAME in the whole population.

The Wandsworth population is quite dynamic with a large proportion of people moving to and from London boroughs, other parts of UK, EU and beyond. During the last 10 years, 344,543 people moved into the Borough from within the UK. 360,038 moved out (net change of -15,495) and a further 66,801 international migrants moved out and 74,678 people moved in (net change of +7,877). During the same time-period there were 56,707 births and 17,010 deaths for net natural change of +39,697.

Over the past 10 years, population increase in Wandsworth was driven by the second highest rate of natural change (more births than deaths) in London and–to a lesser degree–net positive international migration. Over the next 10 years, net natural change will continue, with further contribution from migration from other parts of London and the UK into the new housing developments in the borough.

Overall, the international migration into Wandsworth has been decreasing. Non-UK born residents make up 31% of the population. The highest number of non-UK born population come from Poland (n=6,814), South Africa (n=6,468), Ireland (n=5,781), Australia (n=5,620), Pakistan (n=5,346) and India (n=4,137). In recent years, working-age international arrivals to Wandsworth have tended to be European with the highest number of national insurance numbers (NINos) registered to adult non-UK residents during 2018/19, were to Italians (n=1202), Spanish (n=667), Australians (n=643) and French (n=462).

As the population in Wandsworth is young most residents are not married or in civil partnerships, and compared to London, household sizes are smaller and fewer households have children. Almost 1 in 3 residents live alone. Of the almost 150,000 properties in Wandsworth, over two-thirds are flats, and almost a third of the households rent privately.

Fertility is dropping across UK and the developed world, and this trend is also reflected locally in recent years. About half the children born in Wandsworth are born to mothers born outside the UK.

Working-age adults in Wandsworth are among some of the most educated in the country, with almost two-thirds having achieved a degree or higher in their education. Wandsworth children perform similar or better to London children for in terms of educational attainment.

Wandsworth borough has one of the highest employment rates in London, at almost 80%, which is higher than London and England. Residents are much more likely to be managers, directors, professionals and in technical jobs (70.4%) compared to London (58.4%). This is because the area is a popular place of residence for those starting jobs in Westminster, the City and Canary Wharf.

Wandsworth remains within the least deprived second quartile of London local authorities, ranking 10th least deprived out of 33 boroughs in 2019, compared to 11th least deprived of 33 in 2015. Wandsworth does not have any areas that are among the 10% most deprived in the country. Wandsworth ranks amongst the least deprived boroughs in London for five of seven deprivation domains (Income; Employment; Education, Skills & Training; Barriers to Housing & Services and Crime) - it has a particularly high ranking for Education, Skills & Training.

In the Living Environment domain and the IDAOPI (Income Deprivation Affecting Older People Index) measure, Wandsworth was ranked among the most deprived boroughs in London. IDAOPI measures the proportion of all those aged 60 or over who experience income deprivation and it is a subset of the Income Deprivation Domain which measures the proportion of the population in an area experiencing deprivation relating to low income.

Wandsworth performs well compared to other London boroughs for most indicators, such as pay inequality, low pay, unemployment, and housing delivery. The poverty rate of 21.5% is below the London average (27.0%). Residents working full-time earned £34,168 in 2019; this was higher than the England average of £30,667 but lower than the London and inner London earnings of £38,992 and £42,667 respectively. In 2018, 0.9% of the borough’s residents were claiming income support which was lower than the London and national average. 3,844 households claimed universal credit with the majority being single adult households with no dependent children. Of those individuals claiming universal credit, 33%% were in employment and 67%% were not in employment. Wandsworth ranked 10th lowest borough in London for the proportion of residents claiming child benefit. However, the use of food banks, providing emergency food supplies, increased by 78% in the previous 5 years (between 2013/14 and 2018/19) with one-third of food being provided for children of primary school age. Wandsworth ranked 6th lowest borough in London for fuel poverty with 1 in 10 households experiencing poverty.

New-born males can expect to live up to 80.6 years and females, 84.2 years, an increase of 5.2 years and 2.7 years since 2001-03, respectively. Wandsworth residents are living longer than ever before but in recent years the rate of increase in life expectancy has decreased both locally and in England. Healthy life expectancy is 68.9 years and 65.8 among males and females respectively. In recent years, healthy life expectancy, that is life without serious illness, has decreased among females and increased among males. In Wandsworth and nationally, life expectancy is lower in areas of higher deprivation. Males in the least deprived areas of the borough live 5.5 years less and females 5.2 years less than those in more affluent areas.

Locally there were 1,666 premature deaths with circulatory, cancer and respiratory as leading causes. Premature deaths, that is deaths before 75 years, have dropped in Wandsworth over the past two decades but there is considerable room for improvement.

Most of the local population report leading happy and worthwhile lives, scoring better than the London average, but there is a subset of around one in five who reported low happiness, satisfaction, and high anxiety scores.

1.2 Population Size and Density

Wandsworth is home to an estimated 334,103 residents ³, the second largest population in Inner London. Wandsworth is a large Inner London borough with a mobile, young, educated and economically active population. By 2034 the population is expected to increase to 342,021. As shown in the figure below, the population percentage for all age groups below 20 years of age and above 45 years is smaller than expected from the London average. However, for ages 25 to 39 the proportion of Wandsworth residents is significantly higher than in London–this is particularly visible in females aged 25–34.

1.3 Population Projections

The GLA population projections suggest that Wandsworth’s population will continue to grow but at a lower rate compared to other London Boroughs. Within 10 years’ time the population is predicted to increase by 2.3% from 334,103 in 2024 to 342,021 in 2034, compared with the projected population increase of 4.6% in London population by 2034.

• Wandsworth has the third highest natural change (birth minus deaths) in London
• The borough is home to large new housing developments such as Nine Elms and Ram Quarter in Fairfield
• Due to good transportation connections and large rental stock the borough is an attractive option for those moving to London to work in the City, Canary Wharf and Westminster.

As is the trend in England and London, the population in Wandsworth is getting older. As shown in (as shown in the figure below), over the next 10 years:

• Children and Young People: 0–19 year olds are projected to decrease by 11% in the next decade (from 63,157 in 2024 to 56,020 in 2034), whilst the overall number of children and young people aged under 20 will reduce by 6% in London.

• Young Adults: The 20–39 age group is expected to decrease of 3.1% (from 142,339 in 2024 to 148,688 in 2034). This decrease is in contrast to 2% increase in London.

• Middle Age: A 3.7% decrease is projected for the 40–59 age group by 2034 (from 81,427 in 2024 to 78,515 in 2034), in comparison with 4% increase in London.

• Older Adults: The biggest increase is seen within the older age groups with a 21% rise in 60–79 year olds by 2034 (from 36,530 in 2024 to 44,178 in 2034) - compared with 23% increase in London - and a 39% rise in 80+ year olds (from 9,221 in 2024 to 12,858 in 2034). This is a larger increase than in London (30%) respectively.

Source: © GLA 2021-based demographic projections. Housing-led population projections. Past Delivery 10-year migration, 2023

With respect to population increases at ward level (as shown in the figure below):

• The greatest projected population increase is expected in the ward of Queenstown, where the total population almost doubles by the year 2029 from 22,644 to 41,482. The biggest increase is seen in the 40–44-year-olds for this ward. This increase is driven by large property development in Nine Elms area
• Another ward with notably large increase in population is Fairfield with a 26% increase from 16,134 to 20,297, also driven by large property developments
• Roehampton, St. Mary’s Park, Thamesfield and Wandsworth Common are all projected to see increases of 13% between 2019 and 2029, a similar rate to the borough
• Off the 44,615 projected increase in population, 60% will happen in 4 wards; 42% will happen in Queenstown, 9.3% in Fairfield, 5.5% in St. Mary’s Park and 5% in Thamesfield.

Source: © GLA 2021-based demographic projections. Housing-led population projections. Past Delivery 10-year migration, 2023

Population projections in Wandsworth show an increasing trend for all ethnic groups (as shown in the figure below):

• Over the next 10 years, the highest percentage increases are expected in Arab, Other Mixed and White & Black African ethnic groups (all groups above 18%).
• The lowest growth is expected in Bangladeshi, Indian and Black Caribbean ethnic groups (all groups below 8% increase between 2023 and 2033).

Source: © GLA 2016-based Demographic Projections, 2017

1.4 Sex and Gender

In 2023 borough’s population is made up of 53% females (n=176,618) and 47% males (n=156,123). Female population is expected to increase by 4.8% by 2033. Male population is expected to decrease by 0.3% in the next 10 years ⁵.

The proportion of women and men are roughly equal across the life-course age-bands until later in life. As women experience longer life expectancy than men, by the time people are aged 75 years and over, one starts to see a shift in balance between the proportion of both genders (59% female, 41% male). There are estimated to be more females living alone in Wandsworth in 2023 than males and these numbers are projected to increase by 2033.

1.5 Age Structure

The median age in the borough is 33 years. This is lower than London (35 years) and England (40 years).

The maps below show the distribution of age groups across wards within the borough. 17% of Wandsworth’s population are under 14 years of age, with the greatest proportion found in the wards of Southfields and West Hill. Roehampton ward has the highest proportion of 15–19-year old’s and 20–24-year-olds.

Queenstown ward has the highest proportion of 25–39-year-olds as well as 40–49-year-olds. The wards with the greatest proportion of 50–64-year-olds are St Mary’s Park and Furzedown wards. St Mary’s Park also has the highest proportion of 65+ year olds.

Age groups (years)	Heat map
Under 14: 6% of the borough’s population is made up of children aged under 5 10% is made up of 5-14 year-olds Greatest numbers can be seen within the wards of Roehampton, Furzedown and Northcote
15-19 year-olds: 4% of the borough is made up of 15–19 year-olds Greatest numbers can be seen within the wards of Roehampton, Furzedown and West Hill
20-24 year-olds: 20–24 year-olds take up 7% of the borough’s population Greatest numbers can be seen within the wards of Roehampton, Tooting Broadway and Tooting Bec
25-39 year-olds: Most of the 25-39 population are 25-29 year olds (15%); 30-34 year olds (12%), 35-39 year-olds (9%). Together they make up 36% of the borough’s population Wandsworth Town, Balham, and Tooting Broadway have the greatest numbers
40-49 year-olds: 14% of the local population are made up of this age group Battersea Park, West Hill and Furzedown have the greatest numbers in this age group
50-64 year-olds: 14% of the local population are made up of residents aged 50-64 Furzedown, Battersea Park and West Putney have the greatest numbers in this age group
65-74 year-olds: 5% of the borough are made up of population aged 65-74 West Putney, Battersea Park and Furzedown have the greatest numbers in this age group
75-84 year-olds: 3% of the borough are made up of population aged 75-84 West Putney, Battersea Park and Furzedown have the greatest numbers in this age group
85+ year-olds: 1.2% of the borough are made up of population aged 85 and over West Putney, Battersea Park and Balham have the greatest numbers in this age group

Source: 2021 Census ONS Population Figures reported via DataWand Population Explorer.

Scale: Colour scale ranges from light (lower values) to dark (higher values).

1.6 Ethnicity

Detailed breakdown of ethnic groups by age, gender, ward and LSOA, and projections up to 2050 can be found on DataWand.

Wandsworth is an ethnically diverse Borough when compared to England, however, compared to London and Inner London, Wandsworth has much higher proportion of White British population.

In Wandsworth in 2023, 7 out of 10 residents were White (British, Irish, or other) (as shown on the figure and table below). 47% of the local population was White British, a much larger proportion than in London (38%). Around 30% of the residents were BAME, a lower proportion than Inner London and London. Major specific ethnic groups, other than White British, in Wandsworth are Black African, Black Caribbean and Pakistani.

In Wandsworth in 2024, 30.2% (n=106,791) of the total population were from BAME ethnic groups. The proportion of residents from BAME ethnic groups in the borough is 31.5% lower than the London average of 44.1%.

Source: © GLA 2016-based Demographic Projections, 2017

Source: 2021 Census ONS Population Figures reported via DataWand.

BAME Population by Ward

The BAME population is higher in the South and North East of the borough (as shown on the map below). The BAME population account for more than half of the population in Falconbrook (at 52%), Roehampton (46%) and Tooting Broadway (44%). Northcote and Thamesfiled have the highest proportion of White ethnic groups (83% and 81% respectively). Detailed geographic breakdown at Ward level and lower can be found on DataWand.

Ward map showing the distribution of BAME group across the Borough, 2021 Census

Source: Data Wand, Population Explorer

Scale: Colour scale ranges from light (lower values) to darker (higher values).

1.7 Non-UK Born Population

Based on 2021 Census, 62% of Wandsworth’s population was born in the UK (n=203,322), compared with 59% in London.Compared to London, a smaller proportion of local population were born outside of Europe (22% in Wandsworth and 25% in London) (as shown in the table below).

The largest proportion of migrants to Wandsworth were born in Middle East and Asia (8.5% of the total population), followed by Africa (6.2%) and Amaricas and the Caribbean (5.6%). The higher ratio of recent to longer term migrations may be because Wandsworth has high population turnover and new arrivals may leave for other areas in UK or internationally, over time.

Source: 2021 Census ONS Population Figures reported via DataWand.

1.8 Religion

Religion and religious institutions continue to play a role in Wandsworth residents social, cultural, and spiritual lives.

The 2021 Census showed that:

• Less than half (45.3%) the borough is Christian. It is still the largest religion in Richmond, but has reduced by -10% points since 2011 (55.3%). This proportion is higher than Outer London (42.3%) and London (40.7%), but lower than England (46.3%). • One in three (37.9%) of the borough’s residents reported No Religion, an increase of 9.5% points since 2011. This proportion is higher than Outer London (24.1%), London (27.1%) and England (36.7%). • Islam is the second largest religion in the borough (4.3%) as it was in 2011 and the number of Muslim residents has increased by +38.6% since 2011. This is a similar increase to Outer London (38.2%), higher than London (+30.2%) and lower than England (+42.9%). • Of those residents reporting to be Christian, 29% were aged under 29 years, while 27% of Christians were 30-49 years. Residents reporting to be Muslim, there was a higher proportion of younger adults aged under 29 years (44%) compared to older adults aged 30-49 years (35%).

Detailed breakdown, based on 2021 Census, at Ward and LSOA level, age and gender can be found on DataWand; the overall Wandsworth’s figures can be found in the table below.

Source: 2021 Census ONS Population Figures reported via DataWand.

1.9 Marriage and Civil Partnership

Detailed breakdown, based on 2021 Census, at Ward and LSOA level, age and gender can be found on DataWand and in the table below. Marriage and civil partnership are described by reference to the legal definitions. It includes a person (or persons) who is (are) married or is (are) a civil partner (or civil partners).

In Wandsworth, according to 2021 Census, majority of residents were single (55.8%), unlike London (46.2%) and England (37.9%). This is likely due to younger age of the local population. Locally, around a third of the residents were married or in civil partnership (33%), which is lower than London (40%) and England (44.7%).

Source: 2021 Census ONS Population Figures reported via DataWand.

1.10 Conception and Birth Rate

Fertility is dropping across UK and in developed countries, and this trend is also reflected locally in recent years. The number of children born in Wandsworth is decreasing and is projected to decrease further. About half the children born in Wandsworth are born to mothers who were born outside the UK despite non-UK born residents only making up 31% of the population.

Source: ONS NOMIS.

In 2022, 1,904 of live births within the borough were to UK born mothers, whilst 1,907 were to non-UK born mothers, the majority being from the EU (21%), Middle East and Asia (12%) and the rest of the world (9%) which includes The Americas and the Caribbean and Antarctica and Oceania ⁹.

Most births, 73%, in 2017 took place to couples who were married or in civil partnership and 17% (n=789) of live births were to couples who had joint registrations at the same addresses (but were not married) ¹⁰. A joint registration records details of both parents and requires them to both be present and 7% (n=339) of live births in 2017 were to joint registrations but different addresses. Locally, 4% (n=170) of live births were registered sole parents (records only the mother’s details).

1.11 Household Composition

According to the 2021 Census, just under a third of the households were made up of one person living alone and almost another third were households with children (as shown in the tables below).

• In Wandsworth 41,132 (29.9%) are one person households i.e., people living alone. This is lower than Inner London (34.3%) and similar to London (29.3%) and England (30.1%). • 1 in 4 one person households (26%) are made up of a person who is 66+ years old. • The proportion of 66+ living alone (8%) has not changed since 2011 and is the same as Inner London, but lower than London (9%) and England (13%). • Older residents living alone (66+) are spread across the borough. One area of higher concentration is around Battersea Park

Source: 2021 Census ONS Population Figures reported via DataWand.

Source: 2021 Census ONS Population Figures reported via DataWand.

Source: 2021 Census ONS Population Figures reported via DataWand.

1.12 Self-reported Happiness, Satisfaction and Well-being

Most of the local population report leading happy and worthwhile lives, scoring better than the London average, but there is a subset of around one in five who reported low happiness, satisfaction, and high anxiety scores.

Self-reported well-being - high satisfaction score: % of respondents: In 2020/21, Wandsworth’s rate was 80.0%, which was the 3rd highest in London, 4.8% higher than the England average and 0.0% higher than the London average. The latest Borough figure for 2020/21 was also 3.7% higher than in 2011/12, in comparison with 0.6% increase in England’s rate in the equivalent time period.

Source: OHID: Public Health Profiles

Source: OHID: Public Health Profiles

Self-reported well-being - high happiness score: % of respondents: In 2020/21, Wandsworth’s rate was 64.1%, which was the 2nd lowest in London, 10.9% lower than the England average and 0.0% higher than the London average. The latest Borough figure for 2020/21 was also 8.6% lower than in 2011/12, in comparison with 1.2% increase in England’s rate in the equivalent time period.

Source: OHID: Public Health Profiles

Source: OHID: Public Health Profiles

Self reported wellbeing: people with a low happiness score: In 2022/23, Wandsworth’s rate was 5.9%, which was the 4th lowest in London, 33.2% lower than the England average and 35.3% lower than the London average. The latest Borough figure for 2022/23 was also 26.4% lower than in 2011/12, in comparison with 17.4% decrease in England’s rate in the equivalent time period.

Source: OHID: Public Health Profiles

Source: OHID: Public Health Profiles

Self reported wellbeing: people with a low satisfaction score: In 2022/23, Wandsworth’s rate was 3.8%, which was the 10th lowest in London, 32.6% lower than the England average and 34.9% lower than the London average. The latest Borough figure for 2022/23 was also 22.2% higher than in 2011/12, in comparison with 13.6% decrease in England’s rate in the equivalent time period.

Source: OHID: Public Health Profiles

Source: OHID: Public Health Profiles

Self reported wellbeing: people with a low worthwhile score: In 2022/23, Wandsworth’s rate was 5.1%, which was the 11th highest in London, 15.2% higher than the England average and 12.6% higher than the London average. The latest Borough figure for 2022/23 was also 77.4% higher than in 2011/12, in comparison with 7.1% decrease in England’s rate in the equivalent time period.

Source: OHID: Public Health Profiles

Source: OHID: Public Health Profiles

Along with Age UK, The Office for National Statistics has produced estimates of subjective loneliness for people aged 65 and over. Wandsworth ranks 13 of out 33 in London and 63 out of 326 in England (1 being the highest in terms of risk of loneliness in both cases) ¹¹.

1.12 Voluntary Sector and Volunteering

Wandsworth Borough has an active and well-developed voluntary sector with over 900 voluntary sector organisations offering a diverse range of services. The sector is supported by the Council’s Voluntary Sector Partnership team, part of the Community and Partnership group, which works across both Wandsworth and Richmond.

The Voluntary Sector Coordinator Project supports voluntary organisations and community groups in Wandsworth to connect, collaborate and communicate both with each other, Wandsworth NHS Clinical Commissioning Group and Wandsworth Borough Council to work together in addressing health equality ¹².

In Wandsworth, the percentage of people reporting volunteering dropped to 25% in (2013/14–2015/16) compared to 35% (2010/11–2012/13). In London the percentage has stayed steady around 25% in this time frame ¹³.

However, 2020, saw an increase in people coming forward to volunteer during Covid-19. Between March–November 2020, 3577 residents registered with the Council and supported over 11 voluntary and community organisations and supported a mentoring project led by Children Services and the Telephone Befriending Service led by the Enable Social Prescribing team. Wandsworth Care Alliance also set up a Volunteer Brokerage Scheme which these volunteers will be sign posted to and will be a mechanism for people to volunteer in the borough going forwards.

1.13 Population Change

Changes to population in Wandsworth, and beyond, are affected by two factors: * Natural change (births and deaths) * Migration which includes both internal migrations (moves in and out of the area from within the UK) and international migrations (movement of migrants to and from other countries).

Over the past 10 years, population increase was driven by Wandsworth having the second highest rate of natural change (more births than deaths) in London, and net positive international migration. Over the next 10 years, net natural increase is likely to continue, with further net increases in population attributable to migration from other parts of London and the UK into the new housing developments in the borough.

Other Causes of Population Change

The population change describes the estimated net effect of changes to special populations during the twelve months to mid-year. Special populations comprise prisoner, armed forces, and their overseas based dependent populations. This includes estimated population change not attributed to a specific cause in the twelve months to mid-year and small adjustments necessary to account for issues such as minor LA boundary changes and large postcode areas that overlap LA boundaries. These cases account for a change of +2,955 from 2008–2018. The figure below shows the main directions of migration in and out of Wandsworth (as of 2018).

International and internal migration into and out of borough, numbers in 2018

Source: ONS Internal migration: Matrices of moves between local authorities and regions, June 2018.

2.1 Life Expectancy

In general, people in Wandsworth live longer than the national average; however, life expectancy at birth and at 65 years of age tend to be higher in other London boroughs. Females in the borough live 3.6 years longer than males, but a recent decline in healthy life expectancy in women sees them spending longer in poor health than previously and spending longer in poor health than men.

Variations in life expectancy across the borough are driven by inequalities between more deprived and less deprived areas. These are most evident in the 60 to 79 age group and are mainly driven by cancer and cardiovascular disease.

Wandsworth performs similarly to the national and regional averages for nearly all causes of premature mortality in men and women, but rates are still higher amongst males in the borough compared to females. Incidentally, the proportion of people screened for conditions such as cancer in the borough is low compared to the national average, but those undergoing NHS Health Checks was better than the national average.

2.2 Healthy Life Expectancy

Healthy life expectancy is the number of years that a person is expected to continue to live in a healthy condition free of disability or poor health.

2.3 Inequalities in Life Expectancy

2.4 Ward-level Life Expectancy and Deprivation

The figure below shows Ward-level IMD 2019 average scores that were used to create Ward-level deprivation quintiles (each consisting of 4 Wards). Latchmere and Roehampton and Putney Heath are the two most deprived Wards in Wandsworth; both with the IMD 2019 average score higher than 25. This is in stark contrast to four least deprived Wandsworth’s Wards that have IMD 2019 average scores below 12 (East Putney, Balham, Thamesfield and Northcote).

Ward average deprivation scores and Ward deprivation quintiles in Wandsworth, IMD 2019

Source: London Datastore: London Wards Indices of Deprivation

Ward-level Life Expectancy at Birth

The latest (2010–14) Ward-level life expectancy at birth and percentage increases in life expectancy since baseline of 2002–06, as shown in the figure below. Life expectancy was the highest in four least deprived Wards (also shown below). The Wards from the most deprived quintile had either average life expectancy (Queenstown and Tooting) or low life expectancy (Latchmere and Roehampton).

Bedford was the only Ward with less than 1% increase in life expectancy from baseline (0.6%: from 80.0 in 2002–06 to 80.6 in 2010–14). The highest gains in life expectancy of over 6% were recorded in Northcote and Latchmere.

Ward-level life expectancy at birth in 2010–14 with % increases since 2002–06 by Ward deprivation quintile

Source: London Datastore: Life Expectancy at Birth and Age 65 by Ward and London Wards Indices of Deprivation

Ward-level life expectancy at birth in 2010–14 by Ward deprivation quintiles (IMD 2019)

Source: London Datastore: Life Expectancy at Birth and Age 65 by Ward and London Wards Indices of Deprivation

Ward-level Life Expectancy at 65

The latest (2010–14) Ward-level life expectancy at 65 and percentage increases in life expectancy since baseline of 2002–06 (as shown in the two figures below). Life expectancy at 65 was the highest in four wards in the least deprived quintile, the same Wards that had the highest life expectancy at birth. The relationship between deprivation and life expectancy at 65 in other deprivation quintiles is less clear, with the most deprived wards having either average or low life expectancy at 65. There was a substantial variation in relative gains in life expectancy at 65 at a Ward-level. Bedford was the only Ward with decrease in life expectancy at 65 between 2002–06 and 2010–14 (4.6% reduction in LE at 65). The highest gains in life expectancy at 65 of over 20% were recorded in Northcote, Earlsfield and Latchmere.

Ward-level life expectancy at 65 in 2010–14 with % increases since 2002–06 by Ward deprivation quintile

Source: London Datastore: Life Expectancy at Birth and Age 65 by Ward and London Wards Indices of Deprivation

Ward-level life expectancy at 65 in 2010–14 by Ward deprivation quintiles (IMD 2019)

Source: London Datastore: Life Expectancy at Birth and Age 65 by Ward and London Wards Indices of Deprivation

3.1 Leading Causes of Deaths

The figure below expresses the leading causes of deaths in the borough by age band in 2019. Overall, the mortality is skewed towards older ages. Top causes are ischaemic heart disease, Alzheimer’s, lung cancer, COPD, and lower respiratory infections. Injuries, including self-harm are a major cause of death among those under 40 and heart disease is the main cause of premature mortality (deaths before 75).

3.2 Premature Mortality (Under 75 mortality)

3.3 Preventable Mortality

Preventable mortality describes causes of death which are considered preventable. These are causes where all or most deaths could potentially be prevented by public health interventions in the broadest sense.

In 2021 the highest number of preventable deaths in Wandsworth were due to cancer (n=72), cardiovascular diseases (n=40), liver disease (n=36) and respiratory conditions (n=19) All these conditions are affected by health behaviours, such as smoking. For all disease categories, preventable mortality in males almost doubles the rate of mortality in females; this inequality is especially visible in preventable cardiovascular mortality where men’s rate almost triples women’s rate 44.8/100,000 population vs. 17.4/100,000 population (Table 12). For all cardiovascular and cancer preventable mortality indicators, Wandsworth’s rates are higher than England’s–except of female preventable mortality from cancer.

Source: OHID: Public Health Profiles

3.4 Other Causes of Death

4.1 Education in Children

In 2019, 116 schools provided education to approximately 45,000 pupils within the borough of Wandsworth. Of these pupils, 46% attended state funded primary schools, 28% attended state funded secondary schools and 23% attended independent schools.

In 2019, the number of pupils attending Wandsworth schools with special educational needs (SEN) was 7,748 (17.2%). This was higher than the London (14.6%), Inner London (15.8%) and England (14.9%) ¹⁹. Locally, the trend shows that the proportion of pupils with special educational needs in Wandsworth schools has been declining since 2016; however, Wandsworth has remained significantly higher than the London and England rates since 2014 (as shown in the figures below).

Pupils with special educational needs (SEN): % of school pupils with special educational needs: In 2022/23, Wandsworth’s rate was 19.7% (n=8543), which was the 4th highest in London, 13.9% higher than the England average and 18.7% higher than the London average. The latest Borough figure for 2022/23 was also 13.9% higher than in 2015/16, in comparison with 20.1% increase in England’s rate in the equivalent time period.

Source: OHID: Public Health Profiles

Source: OHID: Public Health Profiles

More details on education, educational attainment of school-aged children as well as on special educational needs (SEN) can be found in Start Well section.

4.2 Educational Attainment in Adults

The proportion of Wandsworth’s population achieving degree or equivalent is much higher than the England average. 66.5% of residents have degree education or above, almost double the England level of 36.8% (as shown in the below below). This higher level of educational attainment explains higher levels of income and employment in the borough and why almost 70% of the population work as managers, directors and in professional occupations. The percentage of the local population that have no qualifications has dropped from 7.7% in 2004 to 1.4% in 2021.

Source: DataWand

4.3 Employment and Economic Activity

In 2022 inn Wandsworth, 89.2% of those aged 16 to 64 were in employment. This was above both the London (76.2%) and England (75.8%) employment rates ²⁰.

Proportionally, the employment and economic activity rates are lower amongst females in the borough compared to males - this pattern is observed nationwide.

Source: DataWand

Wandsworth residents are much more likely to be in managerial, professional, and technical occupations (70.7%) compared to England (50.0%). There is a lower proportion of Wandsworth residents carrying out administrative, secretarial, and skilled trade occupations compared to the London and England averages. Less than 5% are employed in elementary occupations ²¹.

Local residents are more likely to be full-time, salaried, and work in the private sector. It is also more common for residents to work over 35 hours, with 44% working 35-44 hours and 39% working over 45 hours. Residents in Wandsworth are more likely to be working more than 45 hours per week (34%) in comparison with a London average of; this could be due to longer hours at managerial and professional jobs - also more common in Wandsworth than in London and England ²².

ONS analysis found that 7.4% of jobs in England are at high risk of automation i.e., replacing tasks currently done by workers with technology which could include computer programs, algorithms or even robots. The risk of automation tends to be higher for lower skilled roles and the three occupations with the highest probability of automation are waiters and waitresses, shelf fillers and elementary sales occupations ²³. Wandsworth has 5.7% of its population in elementary occupations, and 4.3% in sales and customer service occupations due to this the risk of automation to Wandsworth workers is relatively low compared to the England average ²⁴.

The numbers of young people not in education, employment or training in Wandsworth is higher than expected and is also out of line with the pattern of educational attainment (the table below). More information on young people not in education or employment is available in Start Well section of the JSNA.

Job density ratio, unemployment, employment percentage, out of work claimants, workless household and 16–17-year-olds not in education, employment or training or whose activity is not known, ratio, percentage, and number, 2017-2019, Wandsworth, London, and England

Source: Nomis - Labour Market Profile–Wandsworth DataWand

4.4 Income

The 2021 Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) estimates that Wandsworth residents working full-time have one of the annual earnings in London and England; £46,936 for males (compared with £33.717 in England) and £41,451 for females (£28,311 in England) ²⁵.

While the local median income is higher than in London and England, 20% of the residents made less than £440.8 pounds per week. In 2012/13, wards with the lowest median household income were Roehampton, Latchmere, Tooting and Graveney. Between 2007 to 2017, the median weekly income (in real terms, after adjusting for inflation) of all London workers dropped by 8.3%. Those working in Wandsworth saw a slightly smaller decrease of 7.4% ²⁶. In 2022, an estimated 19.9% (17,000) of employees in Wandsworth were earning less than £11.05 per hour, which was considered the London Living Wage (LLW). This proportion is amongst the lowest half of London boroughs and since 2008 the proportion of people earning less than the LLW has increased from 15% (14,000) ²⁷.

5.1 Disabilities

Adults (18+ yrs) with learning disability receiving long- term support from local authorities (per 1,000 population): In 2019/20, Wandsworth’s rate was 3.4 per 1,000 (n=895), which was the 5th highest in London, 2.5% lower than the England average and 0.0% higher than the London average. The latest Borough figure for 2019/20 was also 6.5% higher than in 2014/15, in comparison with 5.6% increase in England’s rate in the equivalent time period.

Source: OHID: Public Health Profiles

Source: OHID: Public Health Profiles

In 2019, 651 people living in Wandsworth aged 65 and over are predicted to have a learning disability. This makes up 7.07% of the 65 and over population in Wandsworth. This is predicted to slightly increase in 2020 (7.17%) before decreasing in 2025 (6.91%). This follows a similar trend to London and England ³¹. The number of people living with a disability aged 18-64 is estimated to be 5,723 in 2019. Compared to those 65 and over, this is a much smaller proportion of that group at 1.7%.

Of the total population of 18-64-year-olds living in Wandsworth, 2.9% (9,589 people) are estimated to have an impaired mobility in 2019. This number will increase to 885 over the next ten years, however this will only be a 1% increase by 2030.

The rate of people living with sight loss in Wandsworth per 1,000 is lower than the national average. In 2018, the percentage of people living with sight loss compared to overall population is 1.83. A total of 5,250 people is estimated to be living with partial site loss. Of those people 3,900 had low vision site loss and 1,350 had moderate site loss. The number of people with severe site loss (blindness) was a lower estimate at 730 ³².

5.2 Poverty

The London Poverty Profile ranks London boroughs on key poverty and inequality indicators. Wandsworth performs well compared to other London boroughs for most indicators such as low pay, unemployment, and poverty. Only 11% of employed residents earn less than the London Living Wage - the joint lowest percentage in London. The unemployment ratio is the second lowest in London, at 3.5%. Additionally, the borough’s poverty rate of 22% is below the London average of 27%.

However, income inequality (the gap in income levels) in Wandsworth is worse than the average for London. The borough also has relatively high premature mortality and homelessness acceptance rates ³³.

5.3 Crime and Children and Young People

Over the last 12 months of 17/18, there was a slight increase in the number of young victims of crime (n=1,109) but falls in the number of young suspects (n=1,569) and young people accused of a crime (n=250). Nevertheless, young people, particularly those aged 10-17 remain disproportionally affected by crime in Wandsworth. For young victims, this is most evident within the crime types of violence, sexual offences, and robbery. There continues to be an overrepresentation of BME young people suspected or accused of crime.

More information on youth crime can be found in Start Well.

5.4 LGBTQ

In 2016, 41.4% (1345) of new STI diagnosis in Wandsworth residents were among gay, bi, and other men who have sex with men (MSM), which is an increase from 37.6% (1152 diagnoses) in 2013. ONS estimates suggest 22% of the LGB population have been diagnosed with a new STI, which is significantly higher than the general population ³⁷.

In July 2017, a survey was launched to gather information about the experiences of LGBTQ people in the UK. This came about because, despite the UK bringing in the Marriage (Same-Sex couples) Act in 2013 as well as introducing ‘Turing’s Law’ in the Policing and Crime Act in 2017, and despite the Parliament now having the highest proportion of openly lesbian, gay, and bisexual members, research and evidence suggests that LGBTQ people still face discrimination, bullying and harassment in education, at work and on the streets. LGBTQ communities also face hate crime and higher inequalities in health satisfaction. Over 108,000 people participated and the results from this resulted in a comprehensive LGBTQ Action Plan that sets out what steps the government will take in response to the findings. The results showed that more than two-thirds of LGBT respondents avoided holding hands with a same-sex partner for fear of negative reaction from others. At least 2 in 5 respondents had experienced an incident, such as verbal harassment or physical violence in the 12 months preceding the survey, because they were LGBTQ. Around 24% of respondents had accessed mental health services in the 12 months preceding the survey ³⁸.

5.5 Homelessness

Statutory homelessness - Eligible homeless people not in priority need: In 2017/18, Wandsworth’s rate was 0.4 per 1,000 (n=59), which was the 7th lowest in London, 45.8% lower than the England average and 0.0% higher than the London average. The latest Borough figure for 2017/18 was also 58.4% lower than in 2010/11, in comparison with 15.6% decrease in England’s rate in the equivalent time period.

Source: OHID: Public Health Profiles

Source: OHID: Public Health Profiles

The ONS has published experimental data on the number of deaths of homeless people in England and Wales, which estimates there were 741 deaths in 2021, in comparison with 688 estimated deaths in the previous year. The data also estimates that Wandsworth had estimated 3 deaths in 2021, down from 1 in 2020 ³⁹.