Survey shines a light on fears of Ireland’s young people Youth count the cost of Ireland’s political failings
THE cost of living and being able to afford a home are the main worries of Irish young people, a new study by the National Youth Council of Ireland shows.
The research offers an in-depth look at the challenges facing 18 to 29-year-olds, including accommodation difficulties, financial strain, and low mental well-being.
Around one-in-five revealed that they have skipped meals due to cost, according to the National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI) report.
The study, which is published today, also showed half of those in the 18 to 29 age bracket have “low mental well-being”.
Females reported worse mental and financial wellbeing, as well as lower satisfaction with pay and conditions.
The NYCI described the report’s findings as “alarming” and warned that they “should serve as a wake-up call to Government”.
A spokesperson said: “The new report reveals that the most pressing concerns for young people in Ireland are housing and the cost of living, with 67 per cent and 62 per cent, respectively, citing these issues.
“The research offers an in-depth look. It highlights that nearly half (48 per cent) of young people are dissatisfied with their current housing situation.
“And more than half of those with rental or mortgage payments have seen costs rise in the past year.
“Additionally, 44 per cent feel financially worse off than the previous year, and over one in five (22 per cent) have skipped meals due to cost.”
NYCI director of policy Paul Gordon said: “This report’s findings are alarming and should serve as a wake-up call to the Government to address some basic unmet needs for young people.
“Young people’s fear of being worse off than their parents is real, driven by housing challenges and economic precarity.
“More than half live with family, one in two have experienced rent increases in the past year, with some facing rises of up to 30 per cent.
“This is pushing aspirations of home ownership further out of reach. Shockingly, one in five young people have skipped meals due to cost.”
He added: “Despite reporting a strong connection to Irish culture and to their communities, many of this generation feel like their lives are being put on hold.
“This manifesting in a very concerning finding that half of 18-29-yearolds have low mental wellbeing. Compared with young men, women reported worse mental and financial wellbeing.
“They have lower satisfaction with pay and conditions and were coping worst with the cost-of-living.”
He continued: “They are more likely to feel they are worse off than their
parents’ generation. In response, we are calling on the Government to take a far more coordinated approach to tackling the economic and social challenges facing young people.
“The Government must move quickly to establish a Cabinet subcommittee on young people.”
He explained: “The findings paint a picture of a generation for whom the basic social contract appears broken, with hard work no longer a guarantee of security.
“Our recommendations aim to restore hope and support for young people, many of whom are despondent about their future.”
The comments of several of the 781 study participants are included in the report by the NYCI, which represents voluntary youth organisations across Ireland.
The NYCI report has recommended tackling the housing crisis via rent caps, and increasing social and affordable housing supply.
Their report is available on the youth.ie website.