Social Risk and Social Class Patterns in Poverty and Quality of Life in Ireland : An Analysis of the CSO Survey on Income and Living Conditions, 2004 to 2013

Abstract

This study examines poverty and deprivation trends over the period 2004 to 2013, from economic boom through recession to early recovery. The analysis shows that poverty and deprivation fell significantly during the boom (2004-2007). At-risk-of-poverty remained largely unchanged after this, while basic deprivation increased and consistent poverty increased during the late recession. Basic deprivation captured the drop in living standards earlier than the other measures and has persisted at a high level into early recovery. The study also looks at how social risk and social class jointly influence social exclusion. The results indicate that basic deprivation increased over the recession and early recovery (2008-2013) period for all social risk groups and social classes. The study uses the special SILC module in 2013 on wellbeing to examine quality of life (QoL) problems in Ireland in 2013.