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The Household Finance and Consumption Survey (HFCS) 2018 was published on 30 January 2020. Data within the publication was revised on 04 June 2020. These data revisions were due to the re-calibration of weights used in the estimation of HFCS statistics. Data within the publication was revised for a second time on 16 May 2023 and for a third time on 11 June 2025.
The second revision was primarily due to the supplementing of survey data with the Central Credit Register, an administrative data source obtained by the CSO in 2021. Content relating to HFCS 2018, including the text, graphs and tables, Infographic, and Press Release, now reflect the revised data from the second revision.
The third revision was due to the supplementing of survey data with administrative data from The Pension Authority relating to Personal Retirement Saving Accounts (PRSAs) and the re-calibration of weights. The content in this publication does not reflect this third revision.
For the most up to date data please see Household Finance and Consumption Survey 2023 and HFCS PxStat.
Four out of ten (40%) households reported that their regular expenses in the 12-month period prior to their interview date were less than the household’s income. These households were then asked to list their most important reasons for savings (households were allowed to list multiple reasons for savings). The most common reasons given for saving are listed in Table 7.1 below
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