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Insurance in Ireland - Market Research Report (2014-2029)

Joseph Maher Joseph Maher London, United Kingdom Last Updated: September 2024 SIC K65.100IE

Revenue

€31.3bn

2024

€31.3bn

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

€X.Xbn

Employees

18,211

Businesses

155

Wages

€X.Xbn

Insurance in Ireland industry analysis

Insurers' revenue is expected to grow at a compound annual rate of 5% over the five years through 2024 to €31.3 billion; this includes an increase of 4.5% in 2024, when the average profit margin is 5.2%. In the life and health segment, life cover volumes are normalising from pandemic highs, but public-private partnerships and inflation boost pricing. Individual annuities make a comeback with rising payouts due to higher base rates.

Trends and Insights

  • Speciality cover is driving growth. Demand for cyber, marine, aviation and transport cover are rising as businesses are becoming more risk-aware, which is aiding a rise in industry revenue.
  • Demand for life insurance is falling. As people grapple with the cost-of-living crisis, many are thinking about where and how they can save money and second-guessing if life coverage is necessary, reining in sales.
  • Dublin accounts for the overwhelming share of insurers. The capital is the financial hub of Ireland, with the Central Bank of Ireland located there, allowing for closer working relationships with regulatory authorities to ensure regulations are applied correctly.
  • Price is a key basis of competition. It varies according to the type of policy purchase, business profile and individual profile. Insurers must have sufficient capital to price premiums at or near market rates or risk people switching to competitors.

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  • Market estimates from 2014-2029
  • Critical performance data and rankings
  • Detailed analysis of competitive forces and the external environment
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Industry Statistics and Trends

Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)

Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 5.0 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated €31.3bn in 2024.

Trends and Insights

Life cover volumes normalise from pandemic highs

  • Fear fuelled by the pandemic has catalysed consumer interest in and awareness of mortality products, but rates are normalising. According to The Health Insurance Authority, 47.1% of the Irish population had private health insurance coverage in 2021, up from 46% in 2019.
  • Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Insurance in Ireland
Revenue (2014-2029)
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry outlook (2024-2029)

Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.

Trends and Insights

Motor lines to gain traction

  • Rising demand for alternatively-fuelled vehicles (AFV) are set to place upward pressure on premiums in the coming years. The Climate Action Plan set a target of 936,000A electric vehicles on Irish roads by 2030.

Biggest companies in the Insurance in Ireland

Company
Market Share (%)
2024
Revenue (€m)
2024
Aviva plc
2,067.5
New Ireland Assurance Company plc
1,773.3
Irish Life Group Ltd
1,633.9

To view the market share and analysis for all 6 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.

Products & Services Segmentation

Insurance in Ireland
Products & Services
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Life insurance, Annuities and Disability and long-term care insurance. Life insurance is the largest segment of the Insurance in Ireland.

Trends and Insights

Life insurance sales pick up as the cost of living crisis subsides

  • Life insurance guarantees income to a beneficiary on death. Life coverage can be for a specified period (only paid out if the insured person dies within that time) or permanent. Policies can also be whole-life (fixed payout sum) or variable (depending on financial markets and investment returns).
  • More insights available in the full report

Table of Contents

About this industry

Industry definition

Businesses in this industry underwrite policies relating to life, property, casualty, liability and other general risks. The premiums they earn from this are then invested to generate additional income. The underwriting life and disability is a separate industry, although many firms compete in both insurance markets.

What's included in this industry?

Life insuranceMotor insuranceAnnuitiesLiability insuranceDisability and long-term care insuranceCyber insuranceSpecialty insurance

Companies

Aviva plcNew Ireland Assurance Company plcIrish Life Group Ltd

Purchase this report to view all 6 major companies in this industry.

Related Terms

CESSATION RATIOCOMBINED RATIO SOLVENCY MARGIN

Industry Code

SIC 2007

SIC 65.1 - Insurance in Ireland

Performance

Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.

Analyst insights

Speciality cover is driving growth. Demand for cyber, marine, aviation and transport cover are rising as businesses are becoming more risk-aware, which is aiding a rise in in...

In this chapter (4)

  • Current Performance
  • Outlook
  • Volatility
  • Life Cycle

Key metrics

  • Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
  • Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
  • Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
  • Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business

Charts

  • Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
  • Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
  • Industry Life Cycle

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
  • Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
  • Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
  • How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.

Products and Markets

Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.

Analyst insight

Demand for life insurance is falling. As people grapple with the cost-of-living crisis, many are thinking about where and how they can save money and second-guessing if life ...

In this chapter

  • Products & Services
  • Major Markets

Key metrics

  • Largest market segment and value in 2024
  • Product innovation level

Charts

  • Products & services segmentation in 2024
  • Major market segmentation in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
  • Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
  • Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
  • Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services

Geographic Breakdown

Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.

Analyst insights

Dublin accounts for the overwhelming share of insurers. The capital is the financial hub of Ireland, with the Central Bank of Ireland located there, allowing for closer worki...

In this chapter (1)

  • Business Locations

Charts

  • Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
  • Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024

Tables

  • Number and share of establishments in each region in 2024
  • Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of employees in each region in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Geographic spread of the industry across Europe, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
  • Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage

Competitive Forces

Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.

Analyst insights

Price is a key basis of competition. It varies according to the type of policy purchase, business profile and individual profile. Insurers must have sufficient capital to pri...

In this chapter (4)

  • Concentration
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Substitutes
  • Buyer & Supplier Analysis

Key metrics

  • Industry concentration level
  • Industry competition level and trend
  • Barriers to entry level and trend
  • Substitutes level and trend
  • Buyer power level and trend
  • Supplier power level and trend

Charts

  • Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
  • Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart

Detailed analysis

  • Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
  • Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
  • Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
  • Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
  • Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
  • Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
  • Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
  • Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
  • Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.

Companies

Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.

Analyst insights

New Ireland Assurance has a strong heritage. As the first wholly Irish-owned life assurance company to transact business in Ireland, New Ireland Assurance is synonymous with ...

In this chapter

  • Market Share Concentration
  • Companies
  • Company Spotlights

Charts

  • Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
  • Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
  • Overview of Aviva plc's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of New Ireland Assurance Company plc's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of Irish Life Group Ltd's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for 3 additional companies

Detailed analysis

  • Description and key data for Aviva plc, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for New Ireland Assurance Company plc, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for Irish Life Group Ltd, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description, key data and performance trends for 3 additional companies

External Environment

Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.   

Analyst insights

The MSCI World Index grew in 2023. A proportion of insurers' assets are invested in equities and net investment income moves with MSCI World Index. An uptick in the MSCI Worl...

In this chapter

  • External Drivers
  • Regulation & Policy
  • Assistance

Key metrics

  • Regulation & policy level and trend
  • Assistance level and trend

Charts

  • Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 
  • Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 

Detailed analysis

  • Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
  • Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
  • Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.

Financial Benchmarks

View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time. 

Analyst insights

The pandemic has eaten into profit. This is due to an uptick in deaths, claims and payouts, while those previously on furlough have sought income protection, though claims ar...

In this chapter

  • Cost Structure
  • Financial Ratios
  • Key Ratios

Key metrics

  • Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
  • Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
  • Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
  • Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio

Charts

  • Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Investment vs. share of economy

Data tables

  • Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Average Wage (2014-2029)
  • Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
  • Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability 

Key Statistics

Industry Data

Data Tables

Including values and annual change:

  • Revenue (2014-2029)
  • IVA (2014-2029)
  • Establishments (2014-2029)
  • Enterprises (2014-2029)
  • Employment (2014-2029)
  • Exports (2014-2029)
  • Imports (2014-2029)
  • Wages (2014-2029)

Top Questions Answered

Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.

What is the market size of the Insurance industry in Ireland in 2024?

The market size of the Insurance industry in Ireland is €31.3bn in 2024.

How many businesses are there in the Insurance in Ireland industry in 2024?

There are 155 businesses in the Insurance industry in Ireland, which has grown at a CAGR of 1.5 % between 2019 and 2024.

Has the Insurance industry in Ireland grown or declined over the past 5 years?

The market size of the Insurance industry in Ireland has been growing at a CAGR of 5.0 % between 2019 and 2024.

What is the forecast growth of the Insurance industry in Ireland over the next 5 years?

Over the next five years, the Insurance industry in Ireland is expected to grow.

What are the biggest companies in the Insurance market in Ireland?

The biggest companies operating in the Insurance market in Ireland are Aviva plc, New Ireland Assurance Company plc and Irish Life Group Ltd

What does the Insurance in Ireland include?

Life insurance and Motor insurance are part of the Insurance industry.

Which companies have the highest market share in the Insurance in Ireland?

The company holding the most market share in Ireland is Aviva plc.

How competitive is the Insurance industry in Ireland?

The level of competition is high and increasing in the Insurance industry in Ireland.

Related Industries

Widen your competitive advantage with related industries

Competitors

  • There are no industries to display.

Complementors

  • Fund Management Activities in Ireland

International industries

  • Global Life & Health Insurance Carriers
  • Global Direct General Insurance Carriers
  • Life Insurance & Annuities in the US
  • Health & Medical Insurance in the US
  • Property, Casualty and Direct Insurance in the US

View all industries in Ireland

Methodology

How are IBISWorld reports created?

IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.

Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.

IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.

What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?

Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.

Key data sources in Ireland include:

  • Central Statistics Office
  • Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
  • Irish Tax & Customs

Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.

These sources include:

  • Industry and trade associations
  • Industry federations or regulators
  • Major industry players annual or quarterly filings

Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.

How does IBISWorld forecast its data?

IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.

IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.

Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.