The Poverty at the End of Life in 2024 report, produced for Marie Curie by researchers from the university’s Centre for Research in Social Policy (CRSP), showed that rates remained largely unchanged from 2023 despite small reductions in overall mortality.
Working-age adults face the greatest risk. Those aged 20–64 are over 12 percentage points more likely to die in poverty than pensioners, with the likelihood rising sharply in the final year of life.
- READ THE REPORT: CRSP - Poverty at the end of life 2024
Poverty risk for working-age people in Wales, the West Midlands and the North-West is among the highest in the UK.
CRSP’s analysis showed that deep structural inequalities shape end-of-life poverty. Black and Asian adults are more than twice as likely to die in poverty as white adults.
People dying of non-cancer illnesses—such as organ failure or progressive neurological conditions—also experience significantly higher poverty rates, reflecting reduced access to palliative care and financial advice.
Writing in the report, lead author, Dr Juliet Stone, said: “If the Labour Government is serious about improving living standards as one of its central goals, then any plans must consider the varied needs of different sections of the population, including those with a terminal illness.
“While making sure that any reform to disability benefits is fair and equitable is crucial, it is clear that, particularly for those of working age, this is only part of the picture.
“We need a benefits system that provides enough income for people to have a decent and dignified standard of living, while allowing them to die without the added stress of financial hardship.”
New indicators of financial insecurity highlighted the severity of hardship. More than 23,000 people died in deep poverty (below 50% of the poverty line), while 86,000 experienced material deprivation – unable to afford essentials such as appliance repairs, warm clothing or adequate heating.
Around 162,000 people were below the Minimum Income Standard (MIS), meaning they could not maintain a socially acceptable standard of living at the end of life.
Fuel poverty is widespread too. Some 120,000 people who died last year were unable to afford adequate heating or the electricity required to run vital medical equipment.
The risk is highest among people using electric heating and those living in Northern Ireland, the North-East and London.
Co-author, Dr Elaine Robinson, said: "Those who heat their homes with electricity are more likely to experience fuel poverty at the end of life, than those who use gas.
"In the short term, improved income support is needed for working-age people, who lose earnings as illness progresses and rely on Universal Credit for most of their income in the last year of life.
"As more households switch to electricity for heating, the energy efficiency of housing needs to be upgraded to protect those who become terminally ill in future from the increased risk of fuel poverty."
Bosses at Marie Curie have urged the public to sign a petition insisting the UK Government makes actionable changes to address the crisis.
Matthew Reed, the charity’s Chief Executive, said: “It is heartbreaking to think of people like Chase and his family, already facing unimaginable pain, being forced to worry about basic needs and financial worries in their most vulnerable moments.
“Social tariffs on energy bills, council tax relief and equity in end of life benefits are not just policy choices—they are a lifeline for dying people and their families.
“We urge political leaders and policymakers to consider these actionable and realistic policy recommendations so dying people no longer have to spend their precious final months in cold homes, facing spiralling bills and impossible decisions.
“Nobody should die in poverty. Every person deserves comfort and dignity at the end of their life.”
The charity is aiming to have 50,000 signatures on the petition before it is handed in to government in January.
To sign the Cost of Dying petition, visit http://mariecurie.org.uk/campaigns
Click on the image above to watch a discussion about dying in poverty with Juliet Stone (CRSP) and Mark Jackson (Marie Curie) from 2023, to mark 40 years of CRSP
POVERTY AT THE END OF LIFE – KEY FINDINGS
UK 2024 Data Produced for Marie Curie
THE SCALE
- 103,000 people died in poverty (1 in 6 deaths).
- Poverty rate unchanged from 2023
WHO IS MOST AT RISK?
- Working-age adults
- 28.6% in poverty at death
- +6.1 percentage points increase in final year
- Minority ethnic groups
- Black: 46% (working age), 39% (pension-age)
- Asian: 45% (working age), 27% (pension-age)
- People with non-cancer illnesses
- Higher poverty risk than those dying from cancer
- Household type
- 40% of single working-age adults die in poverty
- Working-age families with children also high risk
WHERE IS POVERTY WORST?
- Working-age deaths:
- Birmingham (42%), Manchester (41%), Sandwell (40%), Wales (highest of UK nations)
- Pension-age deaths:
- Highest in London boroughs (Tower Hamlets 32%)
DEEPER HARDSHIP
- 23,000 died in deep poverty (50% below the poverty line)
- 86,000 experienced material deprivation
- 162,000 below the Minimum Income Standard (MIS)
- Unable to meet socially acceptable living standards
FUEL POVERTY
- 120,000 people died in fuel poverty
- Highest risk:
- Electric heating
- Northern Ireland, North East England, London
INCOME BREAKDOWN (FINAL 12 MONTHS)
- Working-age adults:
- 49% of income from benefits
- 37% from earnings (often partner’s income)
- Pensioners:
- 67% of income from benefits (mostly State Pension)
ENDS