The Risk of Poverty Increases as General Health Status Declines

The Central Statistics Office has recently published new findings from the 2024 Survey on Income and Living Conditions (SILC), offering a closer look at how health and poverty are connected in Ireland. The report focuses on people aged 16 and over, examining poverty and wellbeing based on self-reported general health, chronic illness, and limitations in daily activities. The results paint a clear picture: those living with long-term health issues are far more likely to experience poverty and struggle with basic living standards. It’s a reminder that tackling poverty means addressing health inequalities too.

Key findings from SILC 2024 Poverty Indicators by Health Status:

• 25.5 per cent of persons aged 16 years and over who perceived their general health as ‘very bad’ were at risk of poverty compared with 8.2 per cent for ‘very good’.
• People with a chronic illness were twice as likely to be living in consistent poverty compared to those without a chronic illness.
• Enforced deprivation rate was eight percentage points higher for those with a chronic illness (20 per cent) compared with those without (12 per cent).
• Over one in eight people 'severely limited' in usual activities went without heating at some stage in the last year.
• 13 per cent of households with a ‘severely limited’ member aged 16 years and over had ‘great difficulty’ making ends meet compared with 3.6% 'not limited'.
• 12.9 per cent of households with a ‘severely limited’ household member reported there was at least one occasion in the past 12 months where they failed to pay a utility bill on time due to financial difficulties. In comparison with 7 per cent of households where all household members described themselves as ‘not limited’.
• 28.2 per cent of people aged 16 years and over 'severely limited' in usual activities experienced enforced deprivation.
• Four in ten households (41.4 per cent) with a ‘severely limited’ household member regarded total housing costs as a heavy financial burden compared with 25.5 per cent of households where no one was ‘limited’.

• 61.7 per cent of people aged 16 years and over who perceived their general health as 'bad or very bad'

  felt 'downhearted or depressed’ at least some of the time in the previous four weeks compared with 6.2 per cent for 'very good'.

These findings underline the urgent need for policy responses that are tailored and nuanced. People living with chronic illness or serious health limitations are far more at risk of poverty and hardship. The supports currently in place, while valuable, aren’t always enough to meet the specific needs of those facing overlapping health and economic challenges. What’s needed are targeted income supports, better access to healthcare, and employment policies that accommodate people with health challenges. We also need stronger social protections to make sure those whose health limits their ability to work aren't left behind. Poor health doesn’t just affect someone physically—it can strain their finances, take a toll on mental health, and impact their overall quality of life. If Ireland is serious about tackling poverty, then addressing the link between poor health and financial hardship must be at the heart of future policy decisions.