The Central Statistics Office has published a survey detailing the long-term social impacts of the pandemic experience and the restrictions associated with Covid-19 five years on.
It details how Covid-19 has impacted relationships, social behaviours, social interactions with others, working habits and consumption habits.
The results show that a quarter of respondents now try to avoid handshaking. Women are more likely to avoid it, with one-in-three saying they try to avoid shaking hands. This compares with just 18% of men.
The survey also found that 61% of women said they wash their hands more often than before the pandemic, compared with 51% of men.
More than a quarter of people said Covid-19 has had a positive impact on their current relationship with their partner or spouse.
One-in-six said their current relationship has been negatively impacted, while almost half said it had no impact on their current relationship.
Almost four-in-ten respondents who rated their financial situation in 2020 as bad report that the pandemic had a negative impact on their relationship with their spouse or partner.
More than one-in-four respondents who rate their health as fair or bad said they try to avoid social gatherings. This is almost four times the proportion of those who rate their health as very good.
Of those who regularly attended religious ceremonies in person prior to March 2020, only 55% said they still regularly attend in person.
Meanwhile, 8% said they now only attend religious ceremonies online. The survey found, however, that 37% of those who regularly attended religious ceremonies before Covid-19 said they no longer frequent religious ceremonies on a regular basis.
Younger respondents are most likely to report that social media impacts their mental health, with nearly two-thirds saying it impacts their mental health negatively. In comparison, only about one out of every 10 people aged 70 years or more who use social media report a negative impact on their mental health.
According to the survey, around 6% of respondents who got a dog and 3% who got a cat during the pandemic now regret doing so.
One-third of respondents, aged 22 to 29 years, said their alcohol consumption has increased since the introduction of Covid-19 restrictions. This compares with 40% of this age group who said they drank less alcohol and 27% who reported no change.
Nearly half of respondents aged 18-29 years said their consumption of junk food and sweets has risen since pre-pandemic levels. This compares to 15% of those aged 70 or more.
A total of 36% of females said they now eat more junk food and sweets compared with 30% of men.
The CSO publication is called "Covid-19 - Our Lives Five Years On: Social Impact". It is the third in a series of releases exploring the social and economic impact of Covid-19 on Irish society five years after the onset of the pandemic.
The findings come from an online-only survey that took place between 16 January and 2 February 2025.
The Central Statistics Office underscored, however, that this means it is not nationally representative because people had to volunteer to take part online.
Statistician in the Income, Consumption and Wealth Division Claire Burke said: "Five years ago, a series of restrictions were introduced by the Irish Government to curb the spread of the Covid-19 virus.
"Restrictions included limiting social interactions with others, cocooning of the elderly, maintaining one metres social distancing, mask-wearing etc.
"Employees were encouraged to work remotely from home where possible, which has resulted in hybrid working options for some. This release explores how relationships, social behaviours, social interactions with others, working habits and consumption habits have changed five years after the introduction of Covid-19 restrictions."
