Updated - Adds government statement below - Employment income and disposable income both showed significant progress last year from 2013, according to NSO figures issued today, but the figures also show that almost a quarter of people aged below 18 were at risk of poverty.

The NSO reported that according to the Income and Living Conditions Survey, the percentage of the population at-risk-of-poverty stood at 15.9 per cent last year while those at-risk-of-poverty or social exclusion rate stood at 23.8 per cent.

The average household gross income and the mean disposable income stood at €29,948 and €24,730 respectively (See table above). These figures were used for the computation of the median national equivalised income (NEI) and the monetary at-risk-of-poverty threshold. The latter rose by 5.7 per cent when compared to the previous year, reaching €7,672.

The survey showed that 65,987 persons living in private households, or 15.9 per cent, had an equivalised income below this threshold, and were considered to be at-risk-of-poverty.  

The at-risk-of-poverty rate among persons aged below 18 years of age stood at 24.1 per cent. This rate stood at 16.9 per cent for persons aged 65 and over. (see table below)

Persons living in single parent households were found to be more susceptible to being at-risk-of-poverty. In fact, 46.3 per cent of these persons had an NEI below the at-risk-of poverty line. A significant difference between the at-risk-of-poverty rates exists between households with and without dependent children. Figures stood at 19.4 and 12.1 per cent respectively.

The at-risk-of-poverty rate was found to decrease with increasing household work intensity. This rate ranged from 64.0 per cent among persons living in households with very low work intensity to 0.9 per cent for those in households with very high work intensity.

Over half of the surveyed population were living in households claiming that not all the household members could afford to pay for a one-week annual holiday away from home.

In addition, 22.1 per cent could not afford to keep their home adequately warm in winter, while 24.7 per cent could not afford to face unexpected financial expenses. The severe material deprivation rate stood at 10.2 per cent.

The at-risk-of-poverty or social exclusion indicator takes into account the at-risk-of-poverty rate, the severe material deprivation rate and the share of persons living in households with very low work intensity. This indicator stood at 23.8 per cent in 2014.

See NSO report in full on pdf below.

In a statement, the government said this was the first time in a decade that there had been a decline in the rate of those at risk of poverty or social exclusion. The rate dropped to 23.8% from 24% after having risen from 20.1% to 24% under the former administration - an increase of 18,000 people.