Cost of living: Three in five under-25s are considering emigration, poll reveals

Eva Osborne

Three in five of those aged under 25 are considering emigration, with almost one in three strongly considering leaving Ireland to seek a better quality of life abroad.

This is according to new research by the National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI), which also revealed that rent and accommodation are the greatest challenge posed by the cost-of-living crisis.

A poll conducted by RED C on behalf of NYCI shows that over four in five (82 per cent) young people aged 18–24 feel negatively impacted by rising costs.

84 per cent of respondents agree the housing crisis disproportionately affects them, and 94 per cent of full-time students cite rent and accommodation as a major financial burden.

Beyond housing, the research shows that young people under 25 point to education fees (60 per cent), the cost of groceries and daily essentials (47 per cent), and healthcare (26 per cent) as their most pressing financial challenges.

81 per cent of young people say they are fearful for the future, and two-thirds believe they would enjoy a better quality of life outside Ireland.

The NYCI said the figures "reflect a growing sense of disillusionment and urgency".

Budget needs to be a 'turning point'

Director of policy at NYCI, Kathryn Walsh, said: “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. We need Budget 2026 to be a turning point.

“Young people are facing financial pressures across the board. We must stop penalising them for their age. Equalising welfare rates and abolishing sub-minimum wages are not just economic measures - they are statements of fairness.”

The polling also revealed that:

• 70 per cent of the public across all age groups agree that young people are disproportionately affected by rising costs;
• 79 per cent disagree that the Government is doing enough to support them;
• Only 13 per cent believe youth needs are being adequately addressed.

“We cannot assume that all young people have family support to fall back on. Marginalised groups - Travellers, migrants, disabled youth, LGBTQIA+ young people, and those in disadvantaged communities - are especially vulnerable. They need targeted supports, not assumptions," Walsh said.

The NYCI's pre-budget submission for 2026 calls for measures to “address youth cost-of-living pressures and restore hope for young people”.

Some asks include:

• Equalising Jobseeker’s Allowance for under-25s;
• Abolishing sub-minimum wage rates for young workers;
• Ringfencing dedicated funding for a successor Youth Homelessness Strategy starting January 2026;
• Funding youth mental health services through the HSE Action Plan;
• Permanently reducing third-level fees and abolishing apprentice contributions;
• Introducing free public transport for under-25s.

“As Ireland faces into potentially uncertain economic times, it is more critical than ever to support young people," Walsh said.

They are navigating rising costs in housing, education, and daily essentials, while also confronting a future that feels increasingly out of reach.

"NYCI’s pre budget submission urges the Government to recognise that income adequacy and cost-of-living supports are essential, especially for those furthest from opportunity.

"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."