Irish Youth Exodus Looms: Seven in Ten Eyeing Better Life Abroad

A new survey reveals that almost seven out of ten young Irish people are seriously considering moving abroad, with 71% believing they'd find a better quality of life elsewhere. The alarming findings, from a National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI) and Red C poll, highlight a growing sense of disillusionment among 18-24 year olds in Ireland regarding their future prospects at home. This isn't just a fleeting thought; it's a deep-seated response to Ireland escalating cost of living crisis, an acute housing crisis, and increasing uncertainty about finding secure, well-paid employment. Nine out of ten young adults feel negatively impacted by rising costs, and a similar number believe the housing crisis unfairly affects them the most. These worries are so strong that they override other concerns like mental health and transport costs, pushing many to look at countries like Canada and Australia. While a significant 62,500 people did emigrate from Ireland in the year to April 2026, including nearly 20,000 young people, it's important to note that actual emigration numbers have slightly decreased from the previous year, suggesting that while the desire to leave is high, acting on it can be complex. The National Youth Council of Ireland is ringing alarm bells, urging the government to make Budget 2027 a turning point. They're calling for concrete actions to tackle youth homelessness, reduce living costs, address education expenses, and reform employment policies like Jobseeker's Allowance and sub-minimum wage rates. With over 70% of adults also worried about Artificial Intelligence making future employment harder for young people, the pressure is on the government to act quickly. If not, Ireland risks a continued 'brain drain', losing a generation of talent that feels priced out of its own future.