Population & Deprivation: Ageing population; low deprivation overall but rural isolation risks.
Health Outcomes: Life expectancy above England average; moderate inequalities between MSOAs.
Behavioural Risks: Average child health indicators.
Disease Burden: High LTC prevalence due to age profile; ageing trend will further increase demand.
Wider Determinants: Very low economic activity; housing stability; average-to-high benefit dependency.
There is no single definition of a neighbourhood in the NHS and local authority planning context.
Neighbourhoods can be understood in several ways: Administrative or statistical boundaries such as wards, parishes, or Middle Layer Super Output Areas (MSOAs), which provide stable geographies for data analysis.
Economic centres like market towns or main urban areas, reflecting where people live, work, and access services.
Functional service areas, for example, GP practice or NHS trust catchments, which align with how health and care services are delivered.
Collaborative structures such as Primary Care Networks (PCNs) or integrated care partnerships, which represent groups of organisations working together to serve a defined population.
These neighbourhood profiles draw on recorded data for these areas - whether by GP practice population, PCN, or statistical geography - to provide a shared evidence base for planning, resource allocation, and addressing health inequalities.
South Waveney has a predominantly rural population with small market towns and villages.
The population’s age distribution is older than the Norfolk & Waveney average, with fewer adults younger than 50 and more adults aged 60+. Socioeconomic deprivation is relatively low overall.
4.0% of the population of South Waveney live in small areas that are among the 20% most deprived areas in England (Core20 areas). Across Norfolk and Waveney, 14.4% live in Core20 areas.
Small areas (MSOAs) with the highest proportions of non-White residents in South Waveney include Bungay & the Saints (3.7%) and Beccles (3.0%).
In South Waveney, 23.0% of children aged 0-19 live in low-income families, compared to 22.8% across Norfolk and Waveney and 22.2% across England. 34.3% of children aged 0 to 15 in South Waveney are estimated to live in poverty according to the Income Deprivation Affecting Children Index (IDACI). In England overall, this is 36.25%.
Economically Active Definition: Aged between 16-64 and either in employment, unemployed but looking for work and could start within two weeks of an offer, or unemployed but waiting to start a job that had been offered and accepted. During the 2021 Census, the proportion of residents (aged 16-64) who were economically active within the Norfolk and Waveney neighbourhoods was generally lower than both the East of England (61.8% economically active) and England average (60.9% economically active).Within the South Waveney neighbourhood, 51.8% of working-age residents were economically active, while 48.2% were economically inactive. This made South Waveney one of the least economically active neighbourhood, below both regional and national averages. Levels of economic activity reported across MSOAs within the Norwich North neighbourhood during the 2021 Census varied considerably. Within the neighbourhood, Southwold, Raydon and Wrentham recorded the lowest proportion of economically active residents aged 16-64 at 47.1%, indicating very high levels of economic inactivity among the working-age population.In contrast, Worlingham and Barnby recorded the highest proportion of economically active residents (56.4%) among MSOAs within the neighbourhood. However, this was still below the East of England average (61.8%) and slightly below the England average (60.9%). This suggests below-average rates of economic activity across MSOAs compared with regional and national levels.
Occupation, as recorded in the 2021 Census, is derived from an individual’s main job title and the activities associated with that role. Values are based on the proportion of usual residents aged 16 and over in employment. In South Waveney, the highest employment levels were in Skilled Trades (15.2%) and Professional occupations (15.1%). While Skilled Trades were above both the Norfolk and England averages, the share of residents in Professional roles was below the county and national averages, indicating a comparatively smaller professional workforce than seen more widely.
The lowest levels of employment were in Sales & Customer Service (7.7%) and Administrative & Secretarial roles (8.3%) reflecting fewer residents in customer-facing or office-based roles.
Universal Credit is a monthly payment from the government to help with living costs for individuals on a low income or out of work. Eligible individuals must be between 18 and 66 years of age and have less than £16,000 in money, saving and investments. The Graph shows the proportion of the population (aged 18-66) claiming Universal Credit across different neighbourhoods in Norfolk during August 2025. The proportion of residents claiming Universal Credit varies across neighbourhoods. In August 2025, the South Waveney neighbourhood recorded a claimant rate of 17.4%, which was significantly lower than seven of the 19 other neighbourhoods and the England average (18%). However, the rate remained above the East of England average (16.3%). In August 2025, the proportion of residents (aged 18 to 66) claiming Universal Credit varied significantly across MSOAs within the South Waveney neighbourhood (ranging from 13.3%-21.7%).Beccles recorded the highest proportion of claimants at 21.7%, significantly more claimants than three of the other four MSOAs within the neighbourhood. Both Beccles and Halesworth and Wangford recorded a claimant rate that was significantly higher than the East of England (16.3%) average and the England average(18%).Worlingham and Barnby reported the lowest proportion of claimants at 13.3%, significantly fewer claimants compared to all other MSOAs within the area and both the East of England and England average.
Personal Independence Payments (PIP) entitlement statistics covers individuals currently receiving PIP and those whose payments are temporarily suspended (e.g., during a hospital stay).To be eligible for PIP an individual needs to be between 16-66 and have a long-term condition which makes everyday tasks or mobility difficult. PIP provides support through two components: daily living (help with everyday activities) and mobility (help with getting around). During June 2025, the South Waveney neighbourhood had a PIP entitlement rate of 11.1%, significantly higher than 12 of the other 19 neighbourhoods. Entitlement in this area was also higher than both the East of England average (8%) and the England average(8.7%), indicating comparatively elevated levels of PIP entitlement when compared with regional and national figures. In June 2025, the proportion of residents aged 16 to 66 entitled to Personal Independence Payment (PIP) across MSOAs within the South Waveney neighbourhood varied significantly (ranging from 9.5% to 12.6%). Halesworth and Wangford recorded the highest entitlement rate at 12.6%, significantly higher than three of the other four MSOAs within the neighbourhood.Entitlement in all MSOAs was significantly higher than the East of England average (8%) and in four of five MSOAs entitlement was higher than the England average (8.7%). This suggests that health-related support needs in West Norfolk Coastal are consistently higher than regional levels and mostly higher than national levels, indicating a higher prevalence of long-term health conditions or disabilities across the neighbourhood.
Compared to England, South Waveney has a higher proportion of homes owned outright (47% vs 32.5%) and a lower proportion with a mortgage (21.8% vs 28.8%). Its combined social renting rate (council and housing association) is 14.1%, which is lower than the national average of 17.1%. The private renting rate (Landlord/rent free/other) at 16.6% is lower than the England average (20.6%).Compared to the average across neighbourhoods , the South Waveney neighbourhood has a higher proportion of homes owned outright and a lower proportion of homes mortgaged or rented (from social housing or private sector).
Life expectancy is generally the England average and similar to the Norfolk average, with moderate variation between small areas.
Premature mortality is 19% lower than England, and preventable mortality is 22% lower, reflecting relatively good health outcomes compared to national benchmarks.
Life expectancy in the neighbourhood area is generally higher than the England average and a similar to Norfolk overall, reflecting average deprivation and healthier behaviours.
There is a large gap in life expectancy between the most and least deprived areas of Great Yarmouth and Waveney. The leading causes of premature death - circulatory disease, cancer and respiratory diseased - are more prevalent in more deprived areas. Targeted prevention and improved access to care are essential for reducing this inequality.
Within the neighbourhood area, healthy life expectancy was generally similar to the Norfolk and Waveney average in 2021. There was moderate variation between small areas (MSOAs), with the lowest healthy life expectancies in South Waveney.
Within the South Waveney neighbourhood area: Female healthy life expectancy was lowest in Halesworth & Wangford and highest in Southwold, Reydon & Wrentham and Worlingham & Barnby in 2021.
Male healthy life expectancy was lowest in Beccles and Halesworth & Wangford and highest in Southwold, Reydon & Wrentham in 2021.
There were 602 deaths of people under the age of 75 in South Waveney in 2019 - 23. Overall, the rate of premature mortality was 19% lower than the England average. Locally, the highest rate of premature mortality was in Beccles (Standardised Mortality Ratio = 96.9). The lowest rate was in Bungay & the Saints. Three neighbourhood areas (MSOAs) had a significantly better premature mortality rate than the England average. In 2019 - 23, 268 deaths of people under the age of 75 in South Waveney were from causes considered preventable. Overall, there was a 22% lower rate of preventable mortality compared to the national average. Locally, the highest rate of preventable mortality was in Beccles (Standardised Mortality Ratio = 107.9). The lowest rate was in Worlingham & Barnby. Three neighbourhood areas (MSOAs) had a significantly better preventable mortality rate than the England average.
Childhood overweight prevalence is similar to the national average, and rates of emergency hospital admissions are overall average, too.
The burden of long-term conditions is generally higher than average which in part may be explained by the older demographic. Cardiovascular disease remains a priority for prevention and management. Rates of unplanned hospital admissions are generally lower than in deprived areas, but Beccles has high rates for some indicators.
This chart shows the estimated number of patients with major long-term conditions within the South Waveney PCN. Diabetes affects around 6,900 adults, and chronic kidney disease affects 5,100 people.
Stroke and transient ischaemic attack affect approximately 2,500 people. These figures highlight a significant burden of metabolic and cardiovascular disease, reinforcing the need for integrated prevention and management strategies.
Unplanned hospital admission rates in South Waveney are generally in line with the Norfolk and Waveney average.
Falls admissions are lower than average and injuries in children are a little higher than average.