Over a million people could not afford ‘basics’ in 2013 – CSO

More than a million people suffered enforced deprivation in 2013, more than double the rate prior to the economic crash, according to new figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO).

The new figures are contained in the CSO’s survey on income and living conditions, which was published on Wednesday.

“Enforced deprivation” is defined as being unable to afford at least two basics, such as replacing worn out furniture or an afternoon or evening out in the past fortnight.

The report found deprivation rates increased from 13.7 per cent in 2008 to 30.5 per cent in 2013. They have increased each year during the economic downturn.

Overall, the average disposable income per person after taxes and welfare transfers fell to €17,374, a decline of almost two per cent on the previous year.

Risk of poverty

Any household with a disposable income of less than €10,425 was deemed to be at risk of poverty.

In all, the percentage at risk of poverty decreased from 16.5 per cent to 15.2 per cent. This was due to a falling threshold in the poverty rate and a small increase in income at the lower levels.

The CSO, however, said the drop was not statistically significant.

The numbers found to be consistently poor also increased, up from 7.7 per cent to 8.2 per cent.

This measure is defined as living below the poverty threshold and experiencing enforced deprivation. The CSO said these figures were also not statistically significant.

"We are seeing some changes and movement over recent years in poverty, but they are not significant apart from deprivation rates," said Patrick Foley of the CSO.

He said people across all income groups were reporting increases in deprivation each year since 2008.

If there were no social transfers or welfare payments the numbers at risk of poverty would have increased to almost 50 per cent of the population.