New figures from Revenue reveal the heavy reliance farmers have on off-farm income, with almost half of their total income generated off-farm.

Irish Farmers Journal analysis shows that €1.7bn (48%) of farmers’ total annual earnings come from off-farm work.

Overall, farmers earned €3.59bn, with an average annual income of roughly €33,000. Analysis shows a significant drop in income generated from farming alone, with an average of €20,882.

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Leitrim farmer incomes are boosted significantly with off-farm employment and spousal income, and their overall total income is €41,365

A county breakdown of farmer incomes reveals further disparity, as farmers from Leitrim earn the lowest amount across Ireland, with a farm income of just €8,794.

However, Leitrim farmer incomes are boosted significantly with off-farm employment and spousal income, and their overall total income is €41,365.

Many counties in the west of the country are in a similar situation, with Mayo, Roscommon, Galway and Donegal all seeing farm incomes of less than €15,000 a year, but these incomes are topped up significantly by off-farm employment.

Dairy strongholds

Farmers in traditional dairy strongholds in the south of the country are less reliant on off-farm income.

The richest farmers in Ireland appear to be in Cork and Dublin

In Tipperary, the average farm income is worth €30,083 and the total income is €49,001. Similarly, in Waterford average farm incomes are €32,807, but increase to €49,713.

The richest farmers in Ireland appear to be in Cork and Dublin, with both overall average incomes hitting €113,052 and €112,795 respectively*. Farm incomes were also high, with Cork farm incomes worth €56,160 and Dublin farm incomes worth €66,578.

Other sectors

Some 4,463 farmers work in the construction sector. The next popular sector is public administration and defence (1,991). While teaching was always thought to be a popular career for farmers, figures show that just 139 are in the profession and a higher number appear to be in touch with their artistic side, with 196 listed in the arts, entertainment and recreation sector.

* Revenue has since updated their figures as an error was made in their initial calculations:

  • Cork 2018 – gross income average 113,052 should be 51,608, and farming income average 56,160 should be 29,624
  • Dublin 2018 – gross income average 112,795 should be 56,374, and farming income average 66,578 should be 33,596

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