Some 'struggling to keep pace' with food costs - report

Updated / Thursday, 18 Jun 2026 17:24

The report shows that the most significant cost pressures in the past year came from home energy and food

The ongoing rise in food costs has placed "significant pressure" on household budgets, particularly for lower-income families who spend a larger share of their income on food.

That is according to the latest Vincentian MESL Research Centre report, which shows that the most significant cost pressures in the past year came from home energy and food.

The St Vincent de Paul Research Centre identifies the minimum goods and services required for an acceptable standard of living and measures the income needed by different household types to afford these essentials.

The 2026 report examined changes in the cost of the MESL basket in the 12 months to March 2026 and tracked cumulative changes since 2020.

The cost of achieving a Minimum Essential Standard of Living (MESL) increased by an average of 3.8% over the past year and by 23.6% since 2020.

Together, home energy and food accounted for approximately one-third of the MESL expenditure basket.

Researchers said the findings underlined the growing challenge for households dependent on social welfare and other fixed incomes, many of whom "are struggling to keep pace" with the rising cost of essential goods and services.

Home energy costs increased by 24.9% in the year to March 2026 and have more than doubled since 2020.

While natural gas prices have eased slightly, other energy sources remain substantially more expensive than they were in 2020, with home heating oil showing the largest increase.

In the rural MESL basket, home heating oil rose by 72.4% in the past year and is now 186.8% higher than in 2020.

In the urban MESL basket, natural gas fell by 3% over the past year but remained 84% above 2020 levels.

Electricity (for cooking, lighting, etc) increased by 25.6% in the past year and by 77.7% since 2020.

Food costs increased by 2.7% over the past year and are now around 20% higher than six years ago.

The research found "a longer-term upward trend" that continues to push up the cost of everyday groceries.

It has warned that the ongoing rise has placed "significant pressure" on household budgets.

Single-adult households with older children (aged 12 years and over) dependent on social welfare showed the greatest risk of deep income inadequacy, reflecting the higher costs of raising teenagers.

For children aged 0-12 years, social welfare now covers a greater share of needs than in previous years.

While researchers say it still falls short for school-age children, the gap has narrowed following an increase in the Child Support Payment this year.