Recession not only leads to an increase in unemployment but fewer weddings and births and more divorce and possibly suicide, according to a new report by the government’s social policy unit SCP.

The report shows recession leads to more unhappiness among people both with and without jobs as people in work fear that they too will become unemployed.
And the recession has serious financial consequences for households as well, the report shows.
Changes to unemployment benefit rules mean the traditional safety net has disappeared and some households now see their income halved when they turn to the social security system for support.
For example, 156,000 home owners whose income has fallen to a maximum €25,000 through unemployment are now at risk of losing their home because mortgage payments account for up to 42% of their income, the report shows.
Unemployment benefit is paid for between three and 38 months, depending on how long the jobless person has worked. Claimants are entitled to 75% of their last earned salary with a maximum of €185.46 a day for two months. The benefit is then cut to 70%.