Rise in child poverty despite growth in average incomes

Updated / Tuesday, Getty The increase in child poverty was larger after housing costs were accounted for, rising by 40,000 to 260,000 children Peter O\u0027Connell By Peter O'Connell One in 10 Irish children are deprived of basic necessities as Ireland sees a sharp rise in child poverty despite a strong growth in average incomes, research suggests. New ESRI research published today shows that child poverty is on the rise despite strong growth in average household incomes, with 200,000 children living in households below the poverty line. It also shows that the benefits of rising incomes are not being shared evenly. The number of children in households below the poverty line, which is defined as having less than 60% of median household income, increased by almost 30,000 children in 2024. Child poverty is on the rise despite strong growth in average household income This increase is despite strong growth in average household income, which when adjusted for inflation, household size and composition, rose by 4% between 2023 and 2024. The rise in child poverty was larger after housing costs were accounted for, rising by 40,000 to 260,000 children (22.7%). The increase was particularly pronounced for families with young children, rising from 20.8% to 26.6% for families whose youngest child was five years old and younger when housing costs were accounted for. This figure fell from 12.4% to 10.1% for families whose youngest child was aged over 11. These are among the key findings of new ESRI research published today in partnership with Community Foundation Ireland, using the latest data from the CSO's Survey of Incomes and Living Conditions (SILC). The report found that income poverty rates rose from 12.2% to 12.9% before housing costs, and from 14.6% to 15.6% after housing costs between 2023 and 2024. This amounts to increases of 52,000 and 69,000 people respectively, concentrated among those in households with children. Poverty rates have risen sharply and consistently since 2018 for those whose youngest child is aged five years old or under, from 10.7% to 20.3% on a before housing costs basis and from 17% to 27% on an after-housing costs basis. Children in large families, in jobless households or living in supported rental housing were more likely to experience child-specific deprivation.