A GROWING number of young people in Ireland are seriously considering emigration due to the cost-of-living crisis.
According to new research commissioned by the National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI), three in five people under the age of 25 are thinking about leaving the country.
Based on a nationally representative poll conducted by Red C, the findings reveal the extent to which money worries are eroding people’s faith in building a future in Ireland.
Housing is the most significant concern for young people, with rent costs cited as the greatest financial burden facing under-25s.
The issue is particularly acute among students, with nearly 95% identifying housing as a major source of financial strain.
Nearly 85% of respondents said the housing crisis disproportionately affects them.
Young people also pointed to rising education fees, the cost of food, daily essentials and healthcare as major concerns.
These daily pressures are fuelling a widespread sense of insecurity, with eight in ten young people expressing fear for their future and two-thirds believing they would enjoy a better quality of life elsewhere.
Kathryn Walsh, Director of Policy and Advocacy at the NYCI, said the situation reflects more than just economic hardship.
“This isn’t just about hardship, it’s about young people feeling like Ireland is no longer a place where they can build a future,” she said.
“Budget 2026 must be a turning point.”
The poll also revealed a significant gap in public confidence in the government’s response.
While 70% of people across all age groups agree that young people are disproportionately affected by the cost-of-living crisis, 79% believe the government is not doing enough to support them.
Only 13% of young people feel their needs are being adequately addressed.
In response to the findings, the NYCI has issued a series of demands ahead of Budget 2026.
The organisation is calling for the equalisation of Jobseeker’s Allowance for under-25s and the abolition of sub-minimum wage rates for young workers.
It also wants to see a permanent reduction in third-level education fees, the abolition of apprentice contributions, and the introduction of free public transport for those under 25.
The council is urging the government to allocate dedicated funding for a new Youth Homelessness Strategy starting in January 2026, alongside more investment in youth mental health services through the HSE.
Walsh warned that without immediate and meaningful policy action, Ireland risks losing a generation of skilled, resilient young people to emigration.
“If we fail to act now, we risk losing a generation of talent and resilience to emigration and exclusion. Budget 2026 must be a commitment to their future.”