An overwhelming 84% of people in Ireland are worried about the cost-of-living crisis, while fewer than one in seven believe government is doing enough to address it, down sharply from one in five last year. Almost half of respondents fear they will not meet household costs in the year ahead.
The insights come from a survey commissioned by the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (‘the Commission’) and released to mark its inaugural annual conference on Leadership for Human Rights and Equality, in Croke Park today.
The poll also shows how economic inequality is eroding trust. Only 13% of people believe Ireland’s wealth is distributed fairly. Almost three-quarters say it is not.
While IHREC’s survey finds that 80% of people agree that everyone should be treated equally regardless of who they are or where they come from, this belief is diminishing annually – from 85% in 2023 and 84% in 2024.
Though the key support level remains high, this negative trend is a clear cause for concern.
Asked about efforts to combat discrimination in Ireland, only four in ten people believe they are effective. That speaks to a crisis of confidence in our institutions and political leadership, and also indicates a level of concern about the direction our society might be moving in.
14% of respondents said they experienced racism in the past year, up from 10% in 2024. Among non-white Irish, the figure rises to a shocking 66%.
Two in three non-white Irish people have directly experienced racism in just twelve months.
Disabled people report similar challenges, 16% report experiencing discrimination, up six points from last year. Among 18–24-year-olds, 37% witnessed disability-based discrimination.
Chief commissioner Liam Herrick said:
“Our Annual Poll shows an Ireland pulled in two directions. On one hand, growing inequality and increasing reports of discrimination. On the other, a resilient and deep commitment in our society for values of fairness, solidarity and justice. “The lived experiences behind those perceptions are stark. These are not abstract percentages. They represent adults excluded from employment, children bullied in classrooms, neighbours harassed on the street. They reveal an Ireland where the promise of equality is receding. The future we move toward will depend on leadership. Economic inequality, racism, and democratic erosion are not forces of nature. They are outcomes of policy, and the consequence of political choice and political rhetoric. And they are outcomes that can be changed by courage, action and solidarity.”
ENDS/
Key findings and notes to editors:
This year’s poll was undertaken by Ipsos B&A with a nationally representative sample of 1,243 adults, with some of the key findings as follows: The poll can be accessed at…
Economic Equality
Most respondents felt that the distribution of wealth is inequitable with only 13% feeling that Ireland’s wealth is distributed fairly across the population and 72% disagreeing with this sentiment. Males and those aged 18-24 were more likely to believe that Ireland’s wealth is distributed fairly, compared to females or older aged cohorts.
Equality
62% of respondents agreed they have equal opportunities, representing a marginal decrease since 2024, with 21% actively disagreeing with this sentiment. Males and those aged over 65 are more likely to believe they have equal opportunities in Ireland compared to females or younger aged cohorts.
80% of respondents agreed that no matter who you are or where you come from, you should be treated equally, which is a decrease compared to 2024 (84%) and 2023 (85%). This was lowest amongst respondents in the Connaught/ Ulster region at 71%.
Discrimination
Only two in five respondents thought that the efforts made in Ireland to fight all forms of discrimination are effective, with 28% feeling the efforts are not effective. Perceived ineffectiveness has increased year-on-year, with females, those aged 18-24 and those who have experienced racism/discrimination in the past 12 months being less likely to say efforts have been successful.
Disability
Opinions are polarised as to whether disabled people receive equal opportunities in education.
On all other metrics, the public feel that disabled people are at a disadvantage, and particularly in terms of employment opportunities and Government support. Females are consistently less likely to believe that disabled people receive fair treatment in Irish society compared to males.
16% of those with a self-reported disability said they had directly experienced discrimination in the past 12 months, up six percentage points since last year. 15% of all respondents have witnessed discrimination due to disability in the past 12 months, rising to 37% among those aged 18-24 years old.
Racism
14% of respondents said they had experienced racism over the past 12 months, which is an increase compared to 2024 (10%) and 2023 (11%). Among non-Irish, this increases to 35%, and among non-white Irish, 66% reported they had experienced racism over the past 12 months.
31% of respondents had directly witnessed racism in the past year, with younger aged cohorts and Dubliners more likely to have done so. Among non-Irish respondents, this increases to 44%, up seven points on 2024.