Just under a third of Ireland’s highest earners say they have difficulty making ends meet | JOE.ie (2024)

The threshold for the top 10% of earners in Ireland starts at gross personal earnings of just under €70,000.

Just under three in 10 of the top 10% of earners in Ireland said they had difficulty making ends meet, according to a new study.

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The study, titled Inequality and the Top 10% in Europe, conducted by TASC, the Think Tank for Action on Social Change based in Dublin, examined the attitudes of the top 10% of earners in Ireland, Sweden, the UK and Spain.

In Ireland, the threshold for the top 10% of earners starts at gross personal earnings of just under €70,000 (€69,511.01) with the threshold for the top 1% beginning at just under €190,000 (€189,701.69).

In both cases, the threshold was significantly higher than in the other three countries examined as part of the study; in Spain, for example, the threshold for the top 10% begins at just under €40,000 and the top 1% at just under €85,000.

Average gross personal earnings in Ireland are a little over €36,000.

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Despite the superior financial position of Ireland’s top 10% compared to other countries, the study found that 24% of Ireland’s earners had “some difficulty” making ends meet, with 3% saying they had “difficulty” and 1% saying they had “great difficulty”.

The study cited a company director named ‘Siobhán’, who said: “I make €100,000 a year. At the end of the third week of every month, I have nothing left. I pay for my own house, I pay my parents’ mortgage; I have three kids, two step-kids, one of which is in university.

“And at the end of the month, there is nothing left. So, while people might look and say, ‘Wow! you’re on a great salary.’ Yes, I am on a good salary, but I’m exactly the same as everybody else; I have got nothing left at the third week of the month.”

Overall, the study found that younger generations, especially in Ireland, were concerned about their ability to buy a house and settle down.

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It also concluded that the top 10% of earners in Ireland weren’t secure about their own futures or the future of society in Ireland.

“The top 10% sympathise with those earning less,” summary for the top 10% of earners in Ireland read.

“They would like to see more equality, but are not sure how to achieve that politically. Political parties have yet to convince them they are capable of creating a fairer society.”

The full study can be accessed here.

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Just under a third of Ireland’s highest earners say they have difficulty making ends meet | JOE.ie (2024)

FAQs

Just under a third of Ireland’s highest earners say they have difficulty making ends meet | JOE.ie? ›

Despite the superior financial position of Ireland's top 10% compared to other countries, the study found that 24% of Ireland's earners had “some difficulty” making ends meet, with 3% saying they had “difficulty” and 1% saying they had “great difficulty”.

What is considered a high earner in Ireland? ›

your income is greater than or equal to €125,000 - less if there is ring-fenced income (income that is normally liable to tax at a specific rate), such as Deposit Interest Retention Tax (DIRT)

What do the top 5% earn in Ireland? ›

At the top of the distribution, 5% of employees earn more than €85,000 and 3.5% earn more than €100,000. .

How much does the average Irish person make per year? ›

01 What is the average salary in Ireland? The average salary in Ireland in 2023 is around €45,000. Full-time workers in Ireland on average make €3,683 a month, equating to €44,202 a year (pre-tax). 02 How to use the salary calculator?

Why is average income so high in Ireland? ›

GDP is significantly greater than GNP (national income) due to the large number of multinational firms based in Ireland. A 2005 study by The Economist found Ireland to have the best quality of life in the world. The positive reports and economic statistics masked several underlying imbalances.

What salary is considered poor in Ireland? ›

At risk of poverty or income poverty is defined as having an income below 60% of the national median income. In 2021, the poverty threshold for a single adult was €291.50 per week.

Does Ireland pay a living wage? ›

It will be introduced over a four-year period and will be in place by 2026, at which point it will replace the National Minimum Wage. The first step towards reaching a living wage will be the 80 cent increase to the National Minimum Wage from 1 January 2023 to €11.30 per hour.

How much money do you need to live comfortably in Ireland? ›

How much money do people need to live comfortably in Ireland? Ans: To live comfortably in Ireland a family of 4 members needs at least 6,000 Euros per month and it covers the maximum cost of Living in Ireland. However, the average salary for an employee is about 49,000 Euros per year.

What is an excellent salary in Ireland? ›

In Ireland, the threshold for the top 10% of earners starts at gross personal earnings of just under €70,000 (€69,511.01) with the threshold for the top 1% beginning at just under €190,000 (€189,701.69).

What is a good salary for living in Ireland? ›

It is estimated that a family of four would need approximately 6,000 EUR per month to live comfortably in Ireland. This takes into account the costs of everyday living expenses, transport and housing and allows for disposable income.

How old does the average Irish person live? ›

The current life expectancy for Ireland in 2023 is 82.81 years, a 0.18% increase from 2022. The life expectancy for Ireland in 2022 was 82.66 years, a 0.18% increase from 2021.
...
Ireland Life Expectancy 1950-2023.
Ireland - Historical Life Expectancy Data
YearLife ExpectancyGrowth Rate
202382.810.180%
202282.660.180%
202182.510.180%
71 more rows

How much is rent in Ireland? ›

Housing Costs in Ireland

The monthly rent for a one-bedroom in the city center is USD$1,700-$2,100, while a three-bedroom is USD$2,950-$3,600. Even outside of the city center, costs are steep, with a three-bedroom renting for USD$2,350-$2,900 per month.

How old is the average Irish person? ›

The average age of the population in 2016 was 37.4, up from 36.1 in 2011, a rise of 1.3 years.

Why is poverty so high in Ireland? ›

In Ireland, the number of people living in poverty is steadily increasing. Since the beginning of the recession in 2008, the number has risen due to situational factors, such as unemployment and poor health, and exacerbated structural economic inequalities that perpetuate a cycle of poverty in Ireland.

Why is there no Apple store in Ireland? ›

"They're not just going to put in an Apple Store in a location because people think they should." One retail expert familiar with Apple's sales network in Ireland said the most-likely reason for the company's lack of interest in the Republic was simple: not enough customers to make it worthwhile.

What is a middle class salary in Ireland? ›

What is a middle-income earner's wage in Ireland? In Ireland, those who receive a between €35,000 and €50,000 are described as middle-income earners.

Is poverty bad in Ireland? ›

In SILC 2021, 13.8% of the population were defined as living in enforced deprivation. The comparable rate for SILC 2020 was 14.3%. The deprivation rate for persons at risk of poverty was 34.1% in 2021, compared with 11.2% for those not at risk of poverty.

What percentage of Ireland is living in poverty? ›

In SILC 2022, the at risk of poverty rate was 13.1%, a 1.5 percentage point increase on the 2021 estimate of 11.6%. This figure is similar to the 2020 estimate of 13.2%, indicating that the decrease in 2021 may have been temporary and linked to the COVID-19 pandemic and associated economic measures.

Is Ireland a high wage economy? ›

Ireland has one of the highest shares of low wage employment in the developed world. There has been an international shift in economic orthodoxy over the past number of years, away from austerity towards more targeted state-led investment, especially with borrowing costs historically low.

Do US citizens living in Ireland pay taxes? ›

As a US citizen, you are required to file an annual United States tax return no matter how long you have lived in Ireland. You will also need to file a return with the Irish government. Both nations adhere to a standard tax year, which mirrors the calendar year.

Can Americans live full time in Ireland? ›

Fortunately, United States citizens do not need a visa when visiting Ireland for 90 days when on business or vacation. The D-visa category is a single entry and is long-term. The visa allows you to study work and settle there permanently. If you have family members who are citizens, you can settle with them.

Does it cost to live in Ireland? ›

Conclusion. The cost of living in Ireland can vary significantly depending on where you live and your lifestyle. However, most people can expect to pay around €1,000–1,500 per month for basic living expenses.

Can a US citizen retire to Ireland? ›

Retiring to Ireland

You must be able to prove to the Irish Naturalization and Immigration Service (INIS) that you have sufficient resources to support yourself and obtain permission to remain by registering with your local immigration registration officer following your arrival in Ireland.

How much does a house in Ireland cost? ›

The average listed price of a house in Ireland in the third quarter of the year was €311,514, according the latest Daft.ie report. This is up 0.1 per cent on the average for the second quarter of the year and 16 per cent below the Celtic Tiger peak.

Can an American buy a house in Ireland? ›

There are no residency-based restrictions to buying property in Ireland. You can buy property here if you are an Irish citizen, EU/EEA citizen, non-EEA national or even non-resident in Ireland. However, owning property in Ireland does not mean you have the right to live here.

Is Health Care Free in Ireland? ›

Everyone ordinarily resident in Ireland and certain visitors to Ireland are entitled to a range of public health services either free of charge or at reduced cost. You are ordinarily resident if you have been living in Ireland for at least a year or you intend to live here for at least one year.

How much do teachers get paid in Ireland? ›

How much does a Teacher make in Ireland? The average teacher salary in Ireland is € 37 538 per year or € 19.25 per hour. Entry-level positions start at € 30 000 per year, while most experienced workers make up to € 48 360 per year.

Is education in Ireland free? ›

In Ireland all children are entitled to free primary education. All primary schools in Ireland have a patron, which sets the ethos for the school. Most schools have a board of management appointed by the patron to manage the school.

Is it cheaper to live in the US or Ireland? ›

Ireland, overall, tends to be pricier than the average cost of living in the U.S. However, depending on where you are coming from in the states, you may find that parts of Ireland are extremely affordable.

What is upper middle class in Ireland? ›

Lower-income households had incomes of less than €24,475 and upper-income households had incomes greater than €73,426 (all figures computed for three-person households and expressed in 2010 prices). The calculator takes your household income and adjusts it for the size of your household.

Why is food so expensive in Ireland? ›

Lack of natural resources. We have a major lack of natural resources in Ireland meaning a huge amount of what we eat, wear and use has to be imported from abroad. And as outlined above, our relatively isolated, island location means transporting things into the country is more expensive than other countries.

How tall is the average Irish American? ›

The average Irish person is 172.02cm (5 feet 7.72 inches) tall. The average Irishman is 178.92cm (5 feet 10.44 inches) tall. The average Irishwoman is 165.11cm (5 feet 5 inches) tall.

What age do Irish people move out? ›

Young Irish adults generally still live at home when they enter their late 20s, with the average age of people moving out in 2021 being 27.9 years, according to figures from the European Commission.

Why is Ireland life expectancy so high? ›

However, the good news is that Ireland continues to see reductions in mortality rates. The increase in life expectancy is attributed to better care of patients suffering from cancer and heart disease. Respiratory disease remains one of the main health problems posing risks to mortality.

How much is a gallon of milk in Ireland? ›

A single person estimated monthly costs are 1,015.0$ (928.0€) without rent. Cost of living in Ireland is, on average, 2.3% lower than in United States.
...
Cost of Living in Ireland.
RestaurantsEdit
Milk (regular), (1 gallon)4.48€
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (1 lb)1.52€
Rice (white), (1 lb)0.62€
Eggs (regular) (12)3.06€
62 more rows

Do you tip in Ireland? ›

😋 Do I Tip in Irish Restaurants? It's normal to leave between 10-15% of your bill as a tip after dining in Irish restaurants, bistros, cafés or pubs. Leaving a tip higher than 15% of your bill after dining in Ireland is really only given for outstanding service.

How can an American get a job in Ireland? ›

You have to apply for an employment permit to work in Ireland. Non EEA citizens who already live in Ireland and have certain types of immigration permission can work without an employment permit. You also might not need an employment permit if you are joining your family in Ireland.

What is the Irish body type? ›

In Ireland they found that most women have an hourglass body shape, with 42 per cent of those surveyed having hips and shoulders that are in proportion, a visible waist and curvy-shaped legs. The second-most typical form was apple-shaped women, with a fuller tummy, slim legs and a small bottom.

What is the average size of an Irish woman? ›

Meanwhile, Irish women today stand at an average height of 5ft 5 inches (165cm), placing us 24th on the list of the tallest countries. This marks a jump of about 5 inches since 1914, when women were 5ft on average and were number 43 on the list.

What is the average height of an Irish woman? ›

The average height of an Irish man is 178.9cm, while Irish women stand at 165.1cm. Relative to the majority of the world, it's clear that we're a nation of giants.

Why is there so much homelessness in Ireland? ›

Ireland's High Housing Demands: One of the root causes of homelessness in Ireland stems from the country's inadequate supply of affordable housing. The percentage of households renting privately owned homes has doubled in demand over the past decade, limiting available housing and causing rent prices to climb.

Why is homelessness increasing in Ireland? ›

Structural causes include the lack of social and affordable housing, issues in the private rental market, income poverty, unemployment and discrimination. Over the past decade structural causes have been the driving force behind the massive increase in homelessness in Ireland.

Is Ireland considered a poor country? ›

Ireland is a prosperous country, but per capita GDP data mislead by placing it second only to Luxembourg in the EU. Other measures, such as the Human Development Index, are also marred.

Why are there no Apple stores in Greece? ›

Apple iTunes And AppStore No Longer Work In Greece Due To Debt Crisis. PayPal, iCloud, and many online subscription services are now off limits due to laws banning the use of Greek credit cards to spend money outside the country.

What was the Apple scandal in Ireland? ›

On 29 August 2016, after a two-year investigation, Margrethe Vestager of the European Commission announced: "Ireland granted illegal tax benefits to Apple". The Commission ordered Apple to pay €13 billion, plus interest, in unpaid Irish taxes from 2004–14 to the Irish state.

Why is there no Apple Store in Greece? ›

Apple is not very keen in selling in Greece; it prefers to concentrate on other larger European countries. I could also try to locate the product from one of their authorized resellers.

What is the average salary of a doctor in Ireland? ›

A Doctor in Ireland earns an average of €134,131 gross per year, which is about €11,180 gross per month. The starting salary of a Doctor in Ireland is around €30,689 gross per year. The highest salary of a Doctor in Ireland can reach and exceed €200,000 gross per year.

What is the main source of income in Ireland? ›

The economy of the Republic of Ireland is a highly developed knowledge economy, focused on services in high-tech, life sciences, financial services and agribusiness, including agrifood.

What is the average salary in Ireland by age? ›

Median weekly earnings were highest among the 40-49 year age group in 2020
Table 5.1 Mean weekly earnings by age group and sex
Age groupMaleTotal
15-24354.75328.40
25-29626.11592.90
30-39848.06770.73
8 more rows

How many people in Ireland make 100k a year? ›

Nearly two thirds of households had gross income below €60,000. Nearly two thirds (62.6%) of Irish households had a gross income of less than €60,000 in 2016. In contrast, only 14.1% had an income above €100,000, see Figure 1.2.

What salary is considered middle class in Ireland? ›

What is a middle-income earner's wage in Ireland? In Ireland, those who receive a between €35,000 and €50,000 are described as middle-income earners.

How much is the average rent in Ireland? ›

Average rents top €2,300 in Dublin and €1,700 in Cork, as prices respond to chronic shortage of properties. Rents across the country continue to rise to record levels, driven by a chronic shortage of houses. In the final quarter of 2022, average rents hit €1,733 per month, up 13.7% on the same period a year ago.

How many millionaires are in Ireland? ›

Countries by number and percentage of millionaires
Country or subnational areaNumber of millionairesShare of global millionaires (%)
Ireland *176,0000.3
Portugal *159,0000.3
Iran147,0000.2
Finland *101,0000.2
43 more rows

What is the average household income in Ireland? ›

Household Income

The nominal median household disposable income in 2020 was €43,915 and the mean was €52,941.

What is considered middle class in America? ›

Pew defines “middle class” as those earning between two-thirds and twice the median American household income, which in 2021 was $70,784, according to the United States Census Bureau. That means American households earning as little as $47,189 and up to $141,568 are technically in the middle class.

Is it cheaper to live in America than Ireland? ›

the US? At a country level, the cost of living in Ireland, including housing, is only 10% lower than the cost of living in the USA. However, the United States has many cities that are cheaper to live in than similar cities in Ireland.

Is it expensive to live in Ireland as an American? ›

Expats will find that the cost of living in Ireland is manageable but varies depending on the town or city, with Dublin being the most expensive place to live. The Mercer Cost of Living Survey for 2022 confirms this, and ranked Dublin as the 49th most expensive city out of the 227 cities surveyed worldwide.

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