Cost-of-living measures implemented by the Government last year reduced the number of people who were at risk of poverty, according to a study by the Central Statistics Office.
The Survey on Income and Living Conditions said the "at risk of poverty rate" was 12.6% in 2025, but if the supports provided by the Government were excluded, the rate would have been 14.9%.
The results come after the coalition ceased energy credits this year as the rate of inflation had fallen; however, the lower rate of VAT on gas and electricity of 9% is still in place, and eligibility to the fuel allowance was expanded in the budget.
Observers expect the rate of inflation will be impacted by the surge in home heating oil prices and the increase in petrol and diesel when the CSO's consumer price index is published for March.
The CSO’s Survey on Income and Living Conditions said that "at risk of poverty rate" of 12.6% was up from 11.7% in 2024 and 10.6% in 2023.
Being at risk of poverty is defined as having an after-tax income which is 60% less than the national median.
The "consistent poverty rate", which is defined as people who are both at risk of poverty and experiencing enforced deprivation, was 4.7% in 2025, compared with 5.0% in 2024 and 3.6% in 2023.
The CSO said "the consistent poverty rate for children aged 0-17 was 7.8% in 2025, down from 8.5% in 2024."
The survey found the median household disposable income in Ireland was €61,666 in 2025, up €2,744 or 4.7% on a year earlier. (The CSO uses median or mid-point in a set of figures as opposed to the average because it is not distorted by extremes).
The CSO’s survey said: "The 10% of households with the lowest disposable income had an average nominal disposable income of €329 per week, compared with €3,496 per week for the 10% of households with the highest disposable income."
CSO statistician Darragh Turner said the survey highlighted "the higher incidence of the risk of poverty amongst certain groups such as people unable to work due to long-standing health problems; the unemployed; single-adult households; and those in rented accommodation."
