Schedule of CSO Household and Person Surveys

Labour Force Survey

The Labour Force Survey (LFS) is a year-round, nationwide survey of households that provides the official measure of employment and unemployment in the state including quarterly labour force estimates, along with data on social topics. The data collected by the LFS helps us to build an accurate picture of Ireland’s ever-changing workforce and goes on to inform the development of economic and social policies on a national and European level. For more information, see Labour Force Survey (LFS).

Household Budget Survey

The Household Budget Survey (HBS) is a nationwide survey to gather data on household spending and living costs from randomly selected Irish households. This data helps us to follow the changes in the price of goods and allows us to track the rate of inflation, differences in spending habits, and the impact of the cost of living.  For more information, see Household Budget Survey.

Survey on Income and Living Conditions

The Survey on Income & Living Conditions (SILC) is a nationwide survey carried out since 2004 as part of an EU-wide programme. The SILC serves as the official source of individual and household living conditions and income levels, as well as key national poverty indicators. These indicators include the ‘at risk of poverty’ rate, the ‘consistent poverty’ rate and the rates of ‘enforced deprivation’. For more information, see Survey on Income and Living Conditions (SILC).

Social Connections Survey

The Social Connections Survey (SCS) is a pilot survey that examines social connectedness, trust, solidarity, and relationships within an between communities in Ireland. This survey explores themes such as shared values, social ties, fairness, discrimination, and experiences of grievance. The SES is undertaken as part of a United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) taskforce on measuing between-group relations.Its findings are intended to test and develop questions that can generate robust, evidence-based data to support research and inform local and national policy decisions on social cohesion and community wellbeing.

Growing Up in Ireland Survey

The Growing Up in Ireland (GUI) Survey is a national study focused on understanding the lives of children, young people, and their families in the state across different stages of their lives. Conducted by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) in conjunction with the Department of Children, Disability and Equality (DCDE), this survey plays a vital role in understanding the evolving needs of children and young people and improving long-term outcomes, with insights gained helping to inform policies and services that support children and families in Ireland.

• GUI Cohort ’24 will be inviting families in 2026 who took part in the Cohort 24 pilot to take part again in our 3-year-old pilot data collection. This pilot survey will help us understand what kinds of questions should be asked to give the best possible information on what life in Ireland is like for
  parents and children today. For more information, see Growing up in Ireland Cohort '24.

• GUI Cohort ’08 have participated in the survey since they were nine months old. This stage of GUI ’08 gives an opportunity to follow up on the lives and issues faced by people aged 17 or 18 in Ireland today. This will help local, national and European policy makers formulate decisions about services for young people and their families. For more information, see Growing up in Ireland Cohort '08.

Information and Communications Technology

The Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Household Survey is an annual survey that covers a range of topics related to internet use and use of ICT by households and individuals. The ICT Survey serves as an official source of data on connectivity, human capital, use of internet services, and integration of digital technology in Ireland, and helps us to measure the progress of EU countries towards a digital economy and society. For more information, see ICT Household Survey.

Irish Health SurveyHousehold Finance and Consumption Survey

The Irish Health Survey (IHS) collects information on the use of health care services, participants’ health status, and health determinants that can impact people’s health such as nutrition and smoking. The survey provides reliable data about the health of people in Ireland, which can then be used in public health policies. For more information, see Irish Health Survey.

Household Finance and Consumption Survey

The Household Finance and Consumption Survey (HFCS) is a voluntary household survey carried out by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) as part of a coordinated EU-wide programme. The HFCS collects information on household economic wellbeing in Ireland, including assets, liabilities, debt and consumption. This survey provides essential data on financial resiliance and inequality which supports government, researchers and policy bodies in understanding household finances and making economic and social policy decisions. For more information, see PLEASE INSERT LINK