4 in 5 adults feeling financial pressure due to rising household bills

Eva Osborne

Four in five adults have reported feeling financial pressure due to rising household bills, with 34 per cent of these feeling "a lot" of pressure.

The majority (95 per cent) of adults in Ireland say their household bills have increased in 2026, according to survey results from iReach.

Some 46 per cent of respondents said they expect their household bills to increase by €101- €250 a month, and 37 per cent expect them to increase by less than €100 a month.

The average amount adults expect their bills to increase is €165.

Energy bills have increased the most for 74 per cent of adults, followed by groceries (73 per cent). Next is personal transport fuel (59 per cent), health insurance (31 per cent), and car insurance (28 per cent).

Over half (58 per cent) of adults said they have cut back on non-essential spending due to rising bills. 51 per cent reported reduced energy usage at home, and 32 per cent have delayed major purchases.

Nearly half (46 per cent) said they expect their electricity/gas bills to increase by 10 per cent, and 29 per cent expect them to change by 20 per cent.

The average amount adults expect these bills to increase by is 16 per cent.

Over half (52 per cent) say they will have to sacrifice using heating or electricity at home to account for higher bills.