Ireland’s Rich-Poor Gap & Middle-Poor Gap | Social Justice Ireland (2024)

FAQs

What is the top 1% salary in Ireland? ›

For those within the top 1 per cent of earnings, the median earnings were €285,672 for men and €277,613 for women. The median annual earnings by county were highest in Dublin at €46,136 a year, lowest in Donegal at €33,523, with an average of €41,823 nationally.

Now, there is of course a large divide between poor and wealthy. The research found that the richest 10% of Irish households own about as much wealth as the other 90% of the population combined. But the gap has actually closed over the last decade.

In 2020, households with a net wealth value greater than €788,400 belong to the wealthiest 10% of all households (the top net wealth decile). To be in the top 10% in 2018, a net wealth of €756,000 was needed.

The middle-poor gap monitors the income of single individuals on jobseekers' benefit ('poor') and the disposable income (after income taxation and employee social insurance) of a single PAYE worker earning €40,000 ('middle').

If you're living alone, a good salary to live with in Dublin would be at least €50,000 per year (€4,167 per month) before taxes. If you're the sole breadwinner of a family of three, a good salary would be twice that amount, around €90,000 – €100,000 annually (€7,500 – €8,333 per month).

In and around 100k combined if you're not renting and paying a mortgage. Even 80k will get by, but 100k would be comfortable while also allowing for savings.

For a single adult in 2023, this threshold was €318 per week. Basic or enforced deprivation occurs when someone can't afford at least two of 11 essentials, like nutritious food, adequate heating, or suitable clothing. Consistent poverty combines both basic deprivation and an income below the 60% poverty threshold.

An annual income of €100,000 represents the top 6.5% of earners, and a lot of career trajectories will see people working their way up to the €100,000 mark.

This amount will cover the basic expenses such as rent, food, transportation, healthcare, and utilities. Further, any individual can live comfortably with a salary of around €450 – €650 per week or €1,800 – €2,200 per month, which is roughly around €3 – €5 than the average minimum income levels in Ireland.

What is the average salary in Ireland in US dollars? ›

Irish people earn USD 49 474 per year on average, this is in line with the OECD average of USD 49 165. Another essential factor of employment quality is job security, in terms of expected loss of earnings when someone becomes unemployed.

In Great Britain and Ireland, the "upper class" traditionally comprised the landed gentry and the aristocracy of noble families with hereditary titles.

The U.S. threshold for joining the top 1% stands at $787,712 in 2024, a 20% increase from the roughly $652,000 required last year, according to a new analysis of IRS data from SmartAsset. By comparison, U.S. median annual income stands at about $75,000, SmartAsset said.

The ideal salary average was driven up by the 11% of respondents who said their ideal salary would be between €100,000 and €500,000 and the 1% who answered opted for more than €500,000. Some 8% said they would ideally like to earn between €10,000 and €30,000 per year.

Top earners across the United States earn at least six figures, with an average income of over $160,000 for those in the top 10% in 2021. Earners in the top 1% must make $1 million per year in California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Washington.

Pretty decent for your age and industry. For the age and relative lack of qualifications, I'd say 40k is outstanding. It's a good salary for a 24 year old, especially with no real qualifications.