Photograph; iStockNearly half the Irish population rely on private health insurance while the cost of private claims has risen by a third since the pandemic. These were among the findings of new report on the extent of private health insurance in the Republic commissioned by Insurance Ireland from consulting firm Milliman. The report found that 2.5 million people (46 per cent of the population) availed of private health insurance last year. Listen | 38:18It also noted that the growth in private health insurance has been mirrored by the growth in the number of private hospitals in Ireland. They also flagged that employer-sponsored health insurance was seen as an important benefit for attracting and retaining talent.

Source: The Irish Times December 05, 2025 18:01 UTC