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Results and Analysis

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Largest increase in enforced deprivation observed in persons living in rented accommodation

In 2019, over one in three (34.4%) individuals living in rented accommodation were living in enforced deprivation, compared to 27.4% in 2018.  This was the largest increase observed amongst the demographic groups.  There was little change in the year-on-year deprivation rate of those living in owner-occupied accommodation, going from 10.0% in 2018 to 10.3% in 2019. 

Those self-classified as living in accommodation rented at below the market rate were more likely to be living in enforced deprivation (38.4%) than those living in accommodation rented at the market rate (25.1%).  Whether an accommodation is rented at the market rate or below is defined by the survey respondent and can be influenced by multiple factors such as whether the respondent is living in a rent pressure zone or is in receipt of housing assistance.  See Table SIA18.

X-axis labelOwnedRented
20048.838.1
20058.537.6
20067.338
20076.630.2
20088.631
20099.538.4
201014.844.1
201117.241.7
20122043.1
201323.147.8
201422.143.7
201518.341.5
20161437
201712.633.1
20181027.4
201910.334.4

Women more likely to experience enforced deprivation

Since 2004, women have consistently been more likely than men to experience enforced deprivation.  In 2019, 18.3% of females and 17.4% of males experienced enforced deprivation, compared to 15.6% and 14.7% respectively in 2018.  See Table SIA12.

The lowest rates of enforced deprivation for both sexes were reported in 2007 at 12.7% for females and 10.8% for males, this compares with highs of 31.5% and 29.6% respectively in 2013.

X-axis labelMaleFemale
20041315.2
200513.915.7
200613.614.4
200710.812.7
200813.114.2
200916.617.5
201021.723.5
20112326
201226.627.5
201329.631.5
201427.930
201524.326.5
201620.221.7
201718.219.5
201814.715.6
201917.418.3

Over one in five children living in enforced deprivation

Children under the age of 18 were most likely to be living in enforced deprivation, followed by persons aged 18-64, while those aged 65 and over were the least likely.  See Table SIA13.

In 2019, 23.3% of persons aged under 18 were living in enforced deprivation, compared to 17.1% of persons aged 18-64 and 11.2% of persons aged 65 and over.  All age groups saw an increase in enforced deprivation rates compared to 2018.

The lowest enforced deprivation rates for all age groups occurred in 2007, at 15.9% for persons aged under 18, 10.6% for those aged 18-64 and 8.1% for those aged 65 and over.  This compares with highs of 37.5%, 30.5% and 16.1% respectively in 2013.

X-axis label0 - 17 years18 - 64 years65 years and over
201337.530.516.1
201436.328.814.3
201531.125.115.5
2016252113.1
20172319.19.7
201819.714.88.2
201923.317.111.2

Over four in ten of those unable to work due to permanent illness or disability are living in enforced deprivation

Looking at enforced deprivation rates by principal economic status, those unable to work due to permanent illness or disability were the most likely to be living in enforced deprivation in 2019 at 43.3%, followed by the unemployed at 36.0%.  Persons retired from employment (9.4%) and those at work (11.4%) were the least likely to be living in enforced deprivation.  See Table SIA14.

X-axis label2019
At work11.4
Unemployed36
Student17.3
Engaged on home duties24.2
Retired from employment9.4
Unable to work due to permanent illness or disability43.3

Lower rates of enforced deprivation for those with higher levels of education

Generally, the rates of enforced deprivation decrease with increasing levels of education.  Persons whose highest level of education achieved is a third level degree or higher consistently have the lowest levels of enforced deprivation.  See Table SIA15.

In 2019, 5.3% of persons with third level degree or higher were living in enforced deprivation, compared to 23.3% of those whose highest level of education is primary or below.

"
X-axis label2019
Primary or below23.3
Lower secondary19.3
Upper secondary20.6
Post leaving certificate21.1
Third level non-degree12
Third level degree or higher5.3
"

Households with one adult and children under 18 most likely to be living in enforced deprivation

Persons living in households with one adult and children under 18 were significantly more likely than other household types to be living in enforced deprivation (45.4%).  Comparatively, those living in two adult households where one person was aged 65 or over were the least likely to be experiencing enforced deprivation (9.3%).  See Table SIA16.

On the whole, households with children and those living alone were more likely to be living in enforced deprivation than other types of adult-only households.

X-axis label2019
1 adult aged 65 years and over14.3
1 adult aged less than 65 years20.9
2 adults, at least 1 aged 65 years and over9.3
2 adults, both aged less than 65 years11.2
3 or more adults14.1
1 adult, with children under 18 years45.4
2 adults, with 1-3 children under 18 years17.1
Other households with children under 18 years22.1

Almost one in three persons in non-working households are living in enforced deprivation

Since 2004, persons living in households containing 2 or more persons at work were consistently less likely to be living in enforced deprivation.  In 2019, 10.5% of persons living in households with two persons at work and 7.4% of those in households with three or more persons at work were found to be living in enforced deprivation.  This compares with 20.5% of those living in households with one person at work and 31.9% of those in non-working households.  See Table SIA17.

X-axis labelNo person1 person2 persons3 or more persons
201931.920.510.57.4

Three in ten experienced at least one type of deprivation item

Seven in ten individuals (70.4%) experienced none of the 11 types of deprivation items in 2019, similar to the 2018 figure of 70.9%, and an increase on a low of 55.1% in 2013.  See Table SIA25.

The proportion of the population experiencing three or more types of deprivation items increased from 9.9% in 2018 to 12.0% in 2019, this compares with a high of 20.9% in 2013.

X-axis label3+ items of deprivation experienced2 items of deprivation experienced1 item of deprivation experienced0 (no deprivation)
20069.14.91175
20077.93.812.675.6
20088.94.811.375
20099.77.411.571.4
201014.18.513.563.9
201115.49.115.759.8
201217.69.416.156.9
201320.99.714.355.1
201420.28.714.756.4
201517.87.615.259.4
201613.87.214.164.9
201712.66.213.567.7
20189.95.313.970.9
2019125.911.770.4

Almost one in five unable to afford to replace any worn out furniture

The most commonly experienced item of deprivation in 2019 was the inability to afford to replace any worn out furniture (18.1%), followed by being unable to afford to have family or friends for a drink or meal once a month (13.6%) and being unable to afford a morning, afternoon or evening out in the last fortnight (11.7%).   See Table SIA26.

X-axis label2019
Unable to afford to replace any worn out furniture18.1
Unable to afford to have family or friends for a drink or meal once a month13.6
Unable to afford a morning, afternoon or evening out in the last fortnight11.7
Without heating at some stage in the last year8.6
Unable to afford new (not second-hand) clothes7.7
Unable to afford to keep the home adequately warm4.9
Unable to afford a roast once a week4.5
Unable to afford to buy presents for family or friends at least once a year4.3
Unable to afford two pairs of strong shoes3.1
Unable to afford a meal with meat, chicken or fish every second day1.7
Unable to afford a warm waterproof coat1.4
1

While there has been a slight increase in the proportions experiencing most types of deprivation in 2019 compared to 2018, there has been a general downward trend on figures reported since 2013.

""
Without heating at some stage in the last yearUnable to afford a morning, afternoon or evening out in the last fortnightUnable to afford two pairs of strong shoesUnable to afford a roast once a weekUnable to afford a meal with meat, chicken or fish every second dayUnable to afford new (not second-hand) clothesUnable to afford a warm waterproof coatUnable to afford to keep the home adequately warmUnable to afford to replace any worn out furnitureUnable to afford to have family or friends for a drink or meal once a monthUnable to afford to buy presents for family or friends at least once a year
20065.88.83.14.42.45.52.13.813.710.73.3
200768.433.92.25.22.33.513.19.62.9
20086.311.12.73.835.62.63.713.39.12.3
20097.314.92.13.42.14.51.14.116.39.43.4
201010.519.32.95.537.626.820.314.45.1
201112.221.13.16.72.87.32.26.821.714.85.8
20121323.44.97.7410.43.78.524.516.25.9
201315.725.15.18.14.210.53.91025.818.77.3
201415.722.25.27.63.510.63.78.925.819.16.5
201513.518.356.93.510.42.8924.516.65.5
20169.115.32.95.62.39.41.95.921.113.94.4
20178.113.23.35.31.781.64.420.413.94.2
20187.110.32.841.67.51.24.417.811.73.2
20198.611.73.14.51.77.71.44.918.113.64.3

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