Ireland’s Median Household Income Surpasses €60,000 Amidst Rising Poverty Risk

Ireland’s median household disposable income reached a new high of €61,666 in 2025, marking the first time it has exceeded €60,000. Yet, this increase is accompanied by a rise in the proportion of the population at risk of poverty, highlighting a complex economic landscape.

Income Growth and Inflation

According to data released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) on March 11, 2026, the median household disposable income increased by 4.7% (€2,744) in 2025. When adjusted for inflation, the real increase in household income was 2.4%. CSO statisticians favor using the median value over the average, as averages can be skewed by extreme values.

Poverty Risk on the Rise

Despite the increase in overall household income, the CSO’s Survey on Income and Living Conditions (SILC) revealed that the percentage of people at risk of poverty rose to 12.6% in 2025, up from 11.7% in 2024. The CSO notes that if cost-of-living measures, such as energy credits and increased social welfare payments provided in 2024, were excluded, the at-risk-of-poverty rate would have been even higher, reaching 14.9%.

Being at risk of poverty is defined as having a disposable income (income after tax) less than 60% of the national median, indicating an inability to afford a normal standard of living.

Income Distribution

The CSO data also illustrates significant income inequality within Ireland. The wealthiest 20% of the population controlled 36.9% of the State’s disposable income, while the poorest 20% accounted for only 9.4%. The 10% of households with the lowest disposable income had an average weekly income of €329, compared to €3,496 per week for the top 10%.

Measures of Deprivation

The enforced deprivation rate, which measures the percentage of households unable to afford at least two of 11 basic goods, services, and activities, decreased to 15.1% in 2025, down from 15.7% in 2024, and 17.3% in 2023. The consistent poverty rate – encompassing those at risk of poverty and experiencing enforced deprivation – was 4.7% in 2025, compared to 5% in 2024 and 3.6% in 2023.

The CSO highlighted a decrease in the overlap between these measures, indicating a reduction in consistent poverty. However, the agency also noted a higher incidence of poverty risk among specific groups, including those unable to work due to long-standing health problems, the unemployed, single-adult households, and those in rented accommodation.

Recent Releases from the CSO

Other recent data releases from the CSO, as of March 11, 2026, include:

• GDP: 3.8% (Quarter 4 2025)
• Monthly Unemployment Rate: 4.6% (February 2026)
• Retail Sales Index: 1.5% (January 2026)
• Consumer Price Index: 2.7% (January 2026)
• Residential Property Price Index: 7.0% (December 2025)
• Population: 5.15 million (2022)

Looking Ahead

The CSO’s data paints a nuanced picture of Ireland’s economic situation. While household incomes are rising, the increasing risk of poverty underscores the need for continued attention to income inequality and targeted support for vulnerable populations. The CSO will release the Survey on Income and Living Conditions (SILC) 2025 on March 11, 2026, and Vehicles Licensed for the first time February 2026 on the same date. Explore CSO Statistics for more information.