Rising cost of living pushes more Irish households into poverty, CSO figures reveal

The CSO added that the 10% of households with the lowest income had an average net disposable income of €309 per week.

The number of people who were at risk of poverty increased in 2024 to 11.7%, according to the latest figures. 

This was up by 1.1% when compared to 2023, but was below the 12.5% rate in 2022. 

The latest report from the Central Statistics Office on income and living conditions illustrates the ongoing impact of the cost of living crisis.

It also reveals that if cost of living measures were excluded from income, the risk of poverty rate would increase to 14.1%.

The CSO added that factors such as employment status, household composition and tenure show significant differences in the risk of poverty rate. 

For example, one in three unemployed people as well as 32.5% of those unable to work due to long-standing health problems were at risk of poverty. However, those who described themselves as employed had a risk of poverty rate of 5.4%. 

The rate was also highest in households composed of one adult aged 65 or over. This stood at 25.9%. This was followed by households of one adult with children under 18 which stood at 24.2%. 

Some 21.8% of people who lived in either rented or rent-free accommodation were at risk of poverty in comparison to those who owned their own accommodation. 

Disposable income

Meanwhile, the median disposable household income was at €58,992 in 2024. This was an increase of €3,773 when compared to 2023. However, when adjusted for inflation, this came down to €50,406. This was up €244 when compared to 2023. 

The CSO added that the 10% of households with the lowest income had an average net disposable income of €309 per week.

Those in the highest 10% had a weekly average of €3,257.

The report also indicated the richest 20% of people living in Ireland had 3.8 times the income of the poorest 20%. This was unchanged from 2023.