ESRI Reports: Immigrants' Welfare Receipt and Fiscal Contribution in Ireland

Two ESRI reports, funded by the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, examined immigrants' welfare receipt and fiscal impact in Ireland.

The first report, using Central Statistics Office data, found no general pattern of immigrants being more likely to receive social welfare than native-born Irish citizens. In 2024, 61% of immigrants received at least one payment, compared to 56% of Irish-born. For unemployment-related payments, both groups had a 9% claim rate. Disability benefit rates were 4% for immigrants and 6% for Irish-born.

When immigrants were categorized by region of birth for unemployment payments from 2014 to 2024, Irish-born had a 16% receipt rate. Immigrants from EU-West (13%) and Asia (12%) had lower rates, while those from EU-East (21%) and Africa (21%) had higher rates.

The second ESRI report, reviewing international literature, found that over the last 20 years, foreign-born residents in Ireland have, on average, made a higher fiscal contribution than Irish-born residents. Migrants are younger and more likely to be employed, contributing positively. Non-EU migrants, with high employment and tertiary education rates, showed a higher fiscal impact compared to non-migrants.