Creating the UK Numeracy Index (UKNI)

Overview: Data for Good – Creating the UK Numeracy Index

Identify and help individuals improve financial literacy and numerical confidence through the UKNI

The UK has a significant problem with low numeracy skills; half the adult population possess the skills of an 11-year-old. Low numeracy costs the economy £25 billion annually* and is a key barrier to many from disadvantaged backgrounds climbing the socio-economic ladder.

Experian and National Numeracy partnered to create the UK Numeracy Index (UKNI), which models and ranks geographic areas by numeracy skills and confidence. The UKNI revealed a direct correlation between low numeracy and low social mobility and is being used to enact change by focusing improvement efforts and underpinning how local authorities’ access the £560M “Multiply” government programme.

*www.nationalnumeracy.org.uk/cost-outcomes-associated-low-levels-adult-numeracy-uk-2014

Mature woman learning financial literacy and numerical confidence on a tablet

Challenge overview

Combining knowledge, expertise and datasets, the two companies set out to build the first UK Numeracy Index (UKNI) which models and ranks areas of the UK by (1) numeracy skills; and (2) numeracy confidence. The Index would reveal fresh insight into numeracy issues across ward, local authority and regional levels.

The ambition was to use this unique and valuable data for good to actively change people’s lives for the better; allowing policymakers, organisations and local communities to focus numeracy improvement efforts thus boosting social mobility and empowering people for positive change allowing better opportunities and brighter futures.

Challenges
  • Half the UK adult population possess the numeracy skills of an 11-year-old
  • Low numeracy costs the economy £25 billion annually*
  • A key barrier to many from disadvantaged backgrounds climbing the socio-economic ladder
View National Numeracy Profile
Company Bio:

National Numeracy was established as an independent charity in 2012 to help raise low levels of numeracy among both adults and children and to promote the importance of everyday maths skills.

The charity challenges negative attitudes, influences public policy and offers practical ways to help adults and children across the UK improve their numeracy to become confident and competent with using numbers and data, so that they can make good decisions in their daily lives.

Company information:
Founded: 2012
Number of employees: 11-50
Industry: Non-profit Organisations
Our partnership is enabling deeper, more targeted impact by empowering people with low numeracy in communities across the UK to take the all-important steps to improve their numeracy and financial health, helping in turn to spark brighter futures. We are very proud of what our partnership with Experian has achieved and tremendously grateful for insight, passion, drive of the Experian team in helping to improve the numeracy of the nation.
Samuel Sims, CEO, National Numeracy

Solution overview

The UKNI was created from numeracy data (confidence and skills) and several consumer attributes from Experian, including gender, affluence, age, and employment status. Experian used the email address provided when registering for the National Numeracy Challenge in an anonymous sample to match numeracy data. 

Two numeracy models: confidence and skill, with an average score for each model calculated based on the number of households in each area. This allowed comparable areas of the UK to be ranked by percentile. A single UKNI from the models. The index has been made available via a public Tableau dashboard for ease of access and another more detailed version was published to be used by National Numeracy internally for further analysis.

The partnership between National Numeracy and Experian is an important one that's made a huge impact by identifying and helping individuals improve their financial literacy and confidence in numbers.
Improve your market research and market segmentation
Results
  • The UKNI was created to model and rank geographic areas by numeracy skills and confidence
  • Used by approximately 50 local authorities to support understanding their numeracy landscape
  • The insight is used to target interventions as part of the Government's £560M Numeracy initiative
Solutions
Data for Good – Creating the UK Numeracy Index

Data for Good - Creating the UK Numeracy Index

Download full case study

Related Products

We have solutions we can tailor for your business needs

Speak to an expert
Case Study
Saving ten years’ worth of work and supporting positive policing

The first of its kind, Cleveland Police’s ‘Golden Nominal’ project is an award-winning initiative which showcases how the power of better data positively impacts on policing.

Such was its innovative nature, that the project was recognised at a national level by the Home Office, who provided co-funding from its Innovation Fund.

See full story >
Case Study
Experian helps the University of Leeds streamline HESA data submissions

With the introduction of Data Futures from HESA, the University of Leeds sought a data expert to partner with to support their returns process.

With more submissions required in year, and a more complex set of rules to deliver against, Experian were selected to help the University prepare for and execute their Data Futures returns.

See full story >
Case Study
Helping TRIVER support small businesses with instant capital in a click

When it comes to accessing working capital, small businesses face a number of challenges. Application processes can be lengthy and often require significant paperwork. Even then, once loans are approved, it can sometimes take weeks for businesses to receive the funds, making it harder to service their short-term needs.

But through using advanced data and sophisticated AI, small business working capital provider TRIVER has revolutionised how small businesses access finance, underwriting the risk of small business borrowing in an automated and near-instant way.

See full story >
Case Study
A new context for Open Banking data

Our mission at Experian is to help drive financial inclusion for everyone, continually exploring new ways to use our data for good to support consumers to meet their financial goals.

We gifted our Affordability Passport solution to entitledto and believe housing helping to introduce Open Banking data into a space that could see immense benefits.

Most customers were positive about the use of Open Banking and willing to consent to the process. They found the process easier and more user-friendly, especially as it removed the requirement for paper proofs and enabled access to housing more quickly.

See full story >
Case Study
Using insights to inform expansion planning and improved customer experiences

Village Hotels’ unique business model—comprising Hotel Accommodation, Food & Beverage, and Health & Wellness—allows for diverse revenue streams and cross-selling opportunities. Despite the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, the company has remained committed to expansion with aims for continued growth both organically and through new developments.

See full story >
Case Study
A decade of partnership to power Travis Perkins' logistics operation

Travis Perkins is a leading supplier of building materials to the construction industry, operating more than 500 branches in the UK.

The company relies on valid address data for a seamless multi-channel shopping experience, ensuring efficient delivery of bulky construction goods to both in-store and online customers.

Learn how we’ve partnered with Travis Perkins for more than ten years, using address validation and location technology to support business operations whilst safeguarding customer experience.

See full story >