Cost of Living

Read more articles about the cost of living from your personal finances to the global economy

German inflation drops by more than expected to 9.6%

Sharp fall, helped by energy subsidies, provides some relief for ECB in its fight against price rises

By Valentina RomeiTue Jan 03 2023 - 16:02

Supermarkets gird for price war as inflation bites

The return to normal trading after the pandemic was short-lived as the war in Ukraine fuelled the cost-of-living crisis

By Mark PaulMon Jan 02 2023 - 05:00

Record consumer and food inflation might begin to turn downwards from spring

Variables affecting food prices indicate a range of scenarios, but key factor will be continuation of war in Ukraine

By Brendan KearneyMon Jan 02 2023 - 04:00

IT Sunday: A New Year’s message from the Editor

The image of mass graves in Bucha, discovered after the liberation of the town by Ukrainian forces, will define the year

By Ruadhán Mac CormaicSun Jan 01 2023 - 07:58

No ‘cliff edge’ in February when cost-of-living subsidies for energy end, Varadkar says

Taoiseach says not all measures will be retained but no decision taken yet on keeping lower VAT rate for hospitality

By Harry McGeeSun Jan 01 2023 - 05:00

Next €200 energy credit is rolled out as €1bn welfare package comes into effect

A €12 increase in maximum rate of all core weekly payments is largest increase in over a decade

By Shauna BowersSat Dec 31 2022 - 07:00

From low unemployment to record exchequer returns: Reasons to be optimistic about the Irish economy in 2023

Ireland has moved from a position when a lot of factors were in its favour to a more mixed picture

By Cliff TaylorSat Dec 31 2022 - 05:00

The economic outlook for 2023: four commentators give their views

Ireland finds itself in the grip of an inflation crisis, just one of several challenges that must be addressed effectively

By Eoin Burke-KennedyFri Dec 30 2022 - 05:00

From Amazon to zero Covid: an A-Z of financial markets in 2022

The year was dominated by rollercoaster news stories such as Elon Musk’s turbulent takeover of Twitter, the downfall of Elizabeth Holmes and the numerous cryptocurrency scandals

By Joe BrennanThu Dec 29 2022 - 13:41

Thefts from shops, now at 15-year high, linked to cost-of-living crisis

Garda believe the current economic conditions are contributing to a hybrid crime scene

By Conor LallyThu Dec 29 2022 - 01:00

Bus Éireann passenger numbers return to pre-Covid levels

Transport company clocks up 89.5m customer journeys over the year

By Ciara O'BrienWed Dec 28 2022 - 15:05

Years of promises yet to lift worsening problem of homelessness in Los Angeles

Affordability, mental illness and drug addiction among intractable issues in city where homeless population has doubled over past decade to some 42,000

By Christopher Grimes in Los AngelesTue Dec 27 2022 - 11:00

Leading ECB policymaker hints at sharp climb to peak rates

Recent figures indicate any recession likely to be ‘short and shallow’, says Dutch central bank chief Klaas Knot

By Martin ArnoldMon Dec 26 2022 - 14:36

From inflation to bank exits, 2022 was an annus horribilis for consumers

Pricewatch: Much of the talk at the birth of 2022 was of the post-pandemic party the nation would have. But then reality turned out to have different plans for us

By Conor PopeMon Dec 26 2022 - 01:00

Cost-of-living squeeze worsens as two bin companies hike prices

Thorntons Recycling is in the process of acquiring City Bin Co, with both adding up to €2 to monthly waste collection charges

By Ian CurranFri Dec 23 2022 - 15:24

State suddenly finds itself in a good position to fund more investment

The big constraint will be producing the promised investment when the economy is close to full employment

By John FitzGeraldFri Dec 23 2022 - 05:00

McGrath faces talks with officials early next year on AIB pay caps

Paschal Donohoe brought proposals to Cabinet on the return of bonuses and certain benefits across the State’s three surviving bailed-out banks

By CantillonWed Dec 21 2022 - 18:27

Has the advantage really swung from capital to labour?

Worker power in 2022 has been weakened by a living standards bloodbath

By Sarah O'ConnorWed Dec 21 2022 - 06:00

‘It’s at breaking point’: Thousands of pupils risk losing school meals

The rates paid to suppliers - 60 cents for breakfast, €1.40 for lunch and €1.90 for dinner - have not changed since the school meals programme was launched in 2003

By Carl O'BrienWed Dec 21 2022 - 05:00

Second nurses’ strike in a week forces hundreds of cancellations in Northern Ireland

Royal College of Nursing calling for pay rise of 5% above inflation but has indicated it would accept lower offer

Tue Dec 20 2022 - 18:48

EU gas cap agreement could affect Ireland, Ryan warns

EU reaches deal with UK on renewable energy in North Sea area

By Naomi O'LearyTue Dec 20 2022 - 16:06

Thousands queue for Christmas food vouchers: ‘I never thought life would end up like this’

About 3,000 vouchers worth €50 each distributed at Capuchin Day Centre in Dublin to help with Christmas costs

By Kitty HollandTue Dec 20 2022 - 11:30

Energy bills: Failure to switch costing customers thousands, CRU finds

CRU analysis says customer could have saved average of €581 a year by opting for best electricity rate, and €316 a year on gas

By Dominic CoyleTue Dec 20 2022 - 05:00

Women’s charity gets more calls for help due to cost-of-living crisis

‘Some women and their children will probably be spending Christmas in the cold,’ Women’s Aid says

By Sarah BurnsTue Dec 20 2022 - 02:00

‘It will be very busy’: Capuchin centre prepares to distribute thousands of Christmas hampers

Small numbers visited Bow Street premises on Monday for baby products but up to 3,000 expected on Tuesday

By Olivia KellyMon Dec 19 2022 - 16:33

Electric Ireland announces €50 credit for residential electricity customers

Utility also beefs up hardship fund after prices jump 90% this year but no relief for its gas customers

By Dominic CoyleMon Dec 19 2022 - 11:38

Six in 10 Irish consumers have no money at end of month, survey finds

Cost-of-living crisis weighing on finances of households, Deloitte research finds

By Joe BrennanMon Dec 19 2022 - 05:15

Private schools in Ireland: What do they charge and how much have their fees risen?

Irish Times survey finds most of the 50 private schools increased fees by between 5 and 15 per cent this year

By Jenna Clarke Molloy and Carl O'BrienMon Dec 19 2022 - 01:00

‘All avenues’ being explored to help with cost-of-living as ESRI asked to look at energy price caps

The Government previously rejected the idea of energy price caps

By Cormac McQuinnSun Dec 18 2022 - 13:25

Germany opens first LNG terminal as it weans itself off Russian gas

Deal also done with Poland for crude oil supplies

By Derek ScallyFri Dec 16 2022 - 15:57

Summer airport passenger traffic below pre-Covid levels

Some 10.4m passengers passed through five main Irish airports between July and September

By Ian CurranFri Dec 16 2022 - 11:54

Mortgage bills to rise again for 300,000 homeowners as ECB hikes rates

Tánaiste rules out any short-term move to reintroduce mortgage interest relief for homeowners

By Eoin Burke-Kennedy and Sarah BurnsFri Dec 16 2022 - 05:00

How is there such high demand for charity in one of Europe’s strongest economies?

The economy is holding up better than almost any in Europe yet, in some corners things are as bad as they have ever been

By Mark PaulFri Dec 16 2022 - 05:00

No plans to introduce mortgage interest relief, Varadkar tells Dáil

Sinn Féin’s Pearse Doherty calls on banks to absorb latest ECB interest rate hikes

By Sarah BurnsThu Dec 15 2022 - 14:17

Christmas starts early as shoppers splash out on Black Friday deals

Card spending in November jumped 13 per cent on last year, says Bank of Ireland

By Ian CurranThu Dec 15 2022 - 12:22

Cancer patients cut back on heating their homes over cost concerns

Irish Cancer Society finds ‘huge amount of anxiety’ among households coping with cancer diagnosis

By Sarah BurnsThu Dec 15 2022 - 08:50

Retailer Currys cuts annual profit outlook after half-year loss

Profit warning comes as consumers in Europe feel the pinch from cost of living crisis

Thu Dec 15 2022 - 07:53

Ireland to experience sharp growth slowdown as cost-of-living pressures mount

Reports from ESRI and OECD warn economy will grow at much-reduced pace in 2023, with real incomes falling due to inflation

By Eoin Burke-Kennedy, Joe Brennan and Ciara O'BrienThu Dec 15 2022 - 05:00

The Irish Times view on the latest forecasts for the Irish economy

Even if a recession is avoided, the sharp fall-off in economic growth will raise questions for the Government next year

Thu Dec 15 2022 - 05:00

ESRI warns of sharp slowdown in growth as cost-of-living pressures mount

Institute upgrades forecast for inflation while warning Irish economy faces significant headwinds

By Eoin Burke-KennedyThu Dec 15 2022 - 05:00

Prem Group chief sees ‘modest’ increase in hotel room rates next year

Revenues have been ‘ahead of expectations’ at Dublin-based hospitality group amid post-Covid rebound

By Ian CurranWed Dec 14 2022 - 12:51

Irish new mortgage rates fall below euro zone average

Rising rates in other countries mean static mortgage interest rates in Irish market compare more favourably

By Joe BrennanWed Dec 14 2022 - 12:30

Ireland’s economic growth will slow significantly next year, OECD warns

Agency also cautions that high costs and low confidence will reduce companies’ incentives to invest

By Eoin Burke-Kennedy and Joe BrennanWed Dec 14 2022 - 10:10

Rally on cost of living at Leinster House to coincide with appointment of new Taoiseach

Demonstration designed to highlight impact of cost of living rises during 2022

By Harry McGeeTue Dec 13 2022 - 17:48

US shares and bonds surge as inflation hits lowest level since December 2021

By Colby SmithTue Dec 13 2022 - 15:59

Minister Eamon Ryan says it could be two years before utility bills drop

Environment minister said he believed the rise would not be at the same rate seen this year

By Jack Horgan-JonesTue Dec 13 2022 - 15:07

Dublin car traffic volumes still below pre-Covid levels, CSO figures show

Public transport journey volumes rise while motor fuel clearances remain lower

By Ian CurranTue Dec 13 2022 - 13:03

Postal row threatens Christmas, North’s recession and pension auto enrolment

Business Today: the best news, analysis and comment from The Irish Times business desk

By Ciarán HancockTue Dec 13 2022 - 07:03

Europe faces further gas squeeze in 2023, International Energy Agency warns

International Energy Agency warns that supplies of key fuel remain under pressure

By Barry O'HalloranMon Dec 12 2022 - 20:25

US Fed set to slow rate rises but signals tightening not over yet

Officials divided over whether Fed overdoing monetary tightening with some arguing inflation will moderate swiftly

By Colby SmithMon Dec 12 2022 - 19:42

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