DUBLIN, Ireland: Nearly three in five people under the age of 25 are weighing up the possibility of emigrating, with almost a third saying they are seriously considering leaving Ireland in search of a better quality of life abroad.
The findings come from new research by the National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI), which highlights the scale of disillusionment among young people facing the cost-of-living crisis. According to the survey, rent and accommodation remain the single greatest financial strain, with 94 percent of full-time students citing housing as a significant burden.
The poll, carried out by RED C on behalf of NYCI, shows that 82 percent of 18- to 24-year-olds feel negatively affected by rising costs, while 84 percent believe the housing crisis has a disproportionate impact on their generation.
Beyond accommodation, young respondents identified other significant financial pressures: education fees (60 percent), the cost of groceries and daily essentials (47 percent), and healthcare (26 percent). The sense of anxiety is widespread, with 81 percent of under-25s saying they are fearful about the future. Two-thirds of those surveyed believe life would be better outside Ireland.
"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," said Kathryn Walsh, NYCI's director of policy. "Budget 2026 must be a turning point. We need to stop penalising young people simply because of their age. Equalising welfare rates and scrapping sub-minimum wages are not just economic measures — they are about fairness."
The poll also suggests the wider public recognises the challenge: 70 percent of people across all age groups agree that young people are hit harder by rising costs. Yet 79 percent say the Government is failing to provide enough support, and only 13 percent believe youth needs are being adequately addressed.
Walsh stressed that many young people cannot rely on family support and that marginalised groups — including Travellers, migrants, LGBTQIA+ youth, disabled young people, and those in disadvantaged communities — face even greater vulnerability. "They need targeted supports, not assumptions," she said.
In its pre-budget submission for 2026, the NYCI has called for a package of measures aimed at easing financial pressures and restoring confidence in the future. Among its proposals: equalising jobseeker's allowance for under-25s, abolishing sub-minimum wages, providing dedicated funding for a youth homelessness strategy from January 2026, strengthening youth mental health services, permanently reducing third-level fees and apprentice contributions, and rolling out free public transport for under-25s.
"Budget 2026 must deliver real income supports and cost-of-living relief," Walsh said. "If we fail to act, Ireland risks losing a generation of talent and resilience to emigration and exclusion."
