According to the Statistical Service, 17.1% of the population, around 167,000 people, were at risk of poverty or social exclusion in 2025, the same level as in 2024.
Women remained in a worse position, with the risk indicator at 18.7%, compared to 15.5% for men.
Components of risk
The risk of poverty indicator rose slightly to 14.9% from 14.6% in 2024. The share of people in households with very low work intensity stayed at 4.2%, while severe material and social deprivation decreased from 2.5% to 2.2%.
Poverty thresholds
The at-risk-of-poverty threshold (60% of median equivalent income) was €13,240 for single-person households and €27,803 for a family of four, up 6.8% from 2024. The median equivalent disposable income per person rose to €22,067 from €20,667.
Impact of social transfers
Before pensions and social benefits, 33.6% of the population was at risk of poverty. Pensions reduced this to 21.7%, and including social benefits further lowered it to 14.9%. Social transfers in total decreased the poverty risk by 18.7 percentage points (11.9 points from pensions, 6.8 points from benefits).
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