IRELAND TODAY:IT'S NOT that long ago since young people skipped nimbly from one job to another in world where money, opportunity and choices seemed to lie around every corner, writes CARL O'BRIEN
All that has changed. Thousands of young people are adjusting to the boredom and poverty that comes with unemployment. Others are lowering their expectations, working in low-paid jobs outside the areas in which they are qualified. Emigration is emerging as a serious option for a new generation of young people.
Today’s poll shows that some 40 per cent of those aged 18 to 24 feel they are likely to emigrate within the next five years. Another 15 per cent say they don’t know what they will do.
The numbers considering emigration fall off significantly among older age groups. A total of 22 per cent of 25-34-year-olds feel it is likely they will leave the country in search of work, falling to 7 per cent among 35-44-year-olds.
Young people from both lower and higher groups are just as likely to be considering emigration as an option (although those in rural areas are more likely to remain in the country).
IMMIGRATION
WITH mounting job losses and increased competition for scarce posts, it is little surprise to see enthusiasm for immigration has cooled significantly.
The vast majority (72 per cent) of people want to see the number of non-Irish immigrants here reduced.
Of this figure, a total of 43 per cent would like to see some, but not all, Irish-born immigrants leave Ireland, while 29 per would like to see most of them leave.
In contrast, a total of 26 per cent say they would like to see the number remain as it is.
In previous polls, younger people have been more positive towards immigration.
This poll shows the trend has reversed. Younger people are most likely to want immigrants to leave the country.
For example, 38 per cent of 18-24-year-olds would like to see most immigrants leave, compared to 23 per cent of over-65s.
The less well-off are also more likely to want the number of immigrants reduced.
When asked for their own views on what is likely to happen over the coming years, most think the number of immigrants will continue to fall.
Almost half think a large majority of foreign workers will have left, while 42 per cent think a small majority will leave.
Only 10 per cent think all or most immigrants will remain in Ireland.
JOB SECURITY
IN AN uncertain world, it is clear that money and job security are the most important issues in people’s lives compared to a year ago.
When given a list of different aspects of life which were considered important – ranging from crime to current affairs – a total of 77 per cent of people cited financial security.
Other money issues were also very important. A total of 67 per cent mentioned financial independence, while 61 per cent cited job security or building up their savings.
The recession has also changed people’s priorities.
Life isn’t all about money, it seems: a total of 62 per cent said spending more time with family and friends had become more important, while 59 per cent said the state of their family’s health was important.
SAVINGS
MANY are living a precarious financial existence. Almost one in five people say they have no savings at all.
Of those who have savings, 11 per cent have less than €500, while 17 per cent have savings of between €500 and €2,500.
In addition, more than a third of people plan to use whatever savings they have for day-to-day living expenses over the next year.
Not everyone is in the same position. Another third plan to leave their savings as a long-term investment, while a fifth plan to leave them where they are until the economy picks up.
Again, it is young people who are worst off. Most young people, for example, are planning to use their savings for day-to-day living expenses. Some 51 per cent of
18-24-year-olds say they plan to do so and 42 per cent of 25-34-year- olds; this figures falls to between 24 and 30 per cent for the over-50s.