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THE GROWING UP in Ireland survey found that most of Ireland’s 20-year-olds are stressed, living at home, and worried about housing and climate change.
Financial security and a good job were their priorities for the next 10 years, but only a minority attached high importance to having a long-term relationship (29&) or having a child (14%) by the age of 30.
These are among the four findings from the Growing Up in Ireland survey, which asks how 20-year-olds are faring in important areas of their lives since they were last interviewed at 17 or 18 years old.
The key findings analyse information from 5,191 twenty-year-olds interviewed between August 2018 and June 2019, and will be launched by the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Dr Katherine Zappone, at the 11th Annual Growing Up in Ireland Research Conference.
The ‘Growing Up in Ireland, Key Findings’ report says that those aged 20 years old this year “were transitioning to adulthood in a period of strong economic recovery”.
“They were born in the boom years of the late 1990s but spent their middle childhood and early adolescence living in the depths of recession. Findings on their experiences from age 9 to age 20 will help to inform those involved in the development of policies and services for children and young people about their lives and their support needs.”
Most 20-year-olds still lived at home and were financially dependent on their parents.
Over two-thirds of 20-year-olds said they still lived with their parents, with most still depending on them financially, especially for basic living expenses. About 8% were experiencing financial strain (difficulty or great difficulty making ends meet), with higher figures for those from the lowest-skilled social classes (10%) or among those whose families experienced financial strain when they were 17/18 years old (14%).
When it comes to education, at 20 years of age 62% of the young people were in further or higher education; 6% were in training; 21% were working full-time and 6% were working part-time; 5% were not in employment, education or training.
On politics, over two-thirds reported they had registered to vote at the time of the survey, over one-third said they had volunteered in the past six months, and over half said they engaged in some type of political activism in the last year, such as signing a petition, wearing a badge or posting material online.
On what they were most concerned about, the 20-year-olds surveyed indicated high levels of concern about general issues such as climate change and poverty. Access to housing in Ireland was the issue causing most concern to 20-year-olds, particularly among those from less advantaged backgrounds.
A desire for financial and employment security featured strongly in their aspirations for themselves in the next ten years: 73% rated being financially secure as highly important and 72% rated having a good job as highly important.
Only a minority attached high importance to having a long-term relationship or having a child by the age of 30 (29% and 14% respectively).
Most 20-year-olds reported their general health as very good or excellent. Almost 16% of 20-year-olds said they had an ongoing chronic physical or mental health problem, illness or disability, increasing from 14% at age 17/18. The most prevalent of these were mental, behavioural or neurodevelopmental disorders.
Overweight and obesity levels had increased since they were 17/18 years old (27% were overweight/obese at age 17/18 rising to 36% by age 20).
Obesity rates were higher for young women than young men (16% and 9%, respectively, were classified as obese at age 20). Levels of physical inactivity were also higher for young women than for young men.
About 15% of 20-year-olds smoked daily and another 23% smoked occasionally, while almost all young adults drank alcohol (93%). Nearly a quarter of 20-year-olds used cannabis occasionally or more often.
The majority of young adults often used constructive strategies to cope with stress, such as talking to friends (51%), spending time on hobbies or listening to music (50%) or discussing the situation with their family (37%).
About one-quarter of 20-year-olds experienced relatively high levels of stress and depressive symptoms. This was more common among young women than young men (32% vs 23% with clinically significant depressive symptoms and 29% vs 21% with above-normal stress).
Young people who had problems with depressive symptoms at earlier ages and those whose mothers had depressive symptoms had a higher risk of depressive symptoms at age 20.
Mothers remained generally positive about their relationships with their sons and daughters. According to mothers, the most common sources of disagreement was helping around the house (57%).
Nearly seven out of ten 20-year-olds were in further or higher education or training at 20 and the vast majority (87%) had taken a course since leaving second-level school.
Participation in higher education was high among 20-year-olds (almost 70%) but entry rates were lower among those whose mothers had not completed second level (48%), among those who had taken the Leaving Certificate Applied programme (10%) and those in the lowest fifth of Leaving Certificate points (38%).
Most 20-year-olds were positive about their second-level education, but many highlighted a lack of preparation for the world of work and adult life. Overall, 62% said school had been a lot of benefit in giving them reading/writing skills and 60% said it had been a lot of benefit in helping them make friends.
However, 39% felt that school had been of no help in preparing them ‘for adult life’; 45% felt it had been of no help in ‘preparing for the world of work’. Early school leavers were more likely to be ‘not in education, training or employment’ (NEET): 32% compared to 5% overall.
On the importance of jobs, 20-year-olds were most likely to give a very high rating to the job being interesting (61% young men and 65% young women); job security (46% young men and 58% young women); the job being a good step on a career ladder (33% young men and 40% young women) and work that was useful or helpful to others (29% young men and 43% young women).
Dorothy Watson, one of the report authors, said that the key findings “paint a generally positive picture of the lives of 20-year-olds and their engagement with the wider world”.
They had a high rate of participation in post-school education or training; they were generally in good health and most used constructive strategies to deal with stress.
Among the concerning findings were a relatively high rate of depressive symptoms; a higher rate of obesity than when they were aged 17/18 and marked inequalities in educational outcomes by family background.
Launching the Key Findings report, the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Dr Katherine Zappone said: “Growing Up in Ireland (GUI) is a critical element in the formation of new evidence based policy making in Ireland and these reports offer a window into the rich and unique data provided by GUI.
She said the report highlights “the impact of socio-economic inequalities, and these are issues that warrant our close attention and concerted efforts from a policy perspective”.
“This evidence from GUI supports the commitment of my Department to focus on the issues of prevention and early intervention in key national strategies.”
Growing Up in Ireland is the national longitudinal study of children, funded by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs (DCYA) with a contribution from The Atlantic Philanthropies.
The study is managed by the DCYA in association with the Central Statistics Office (CSO) and overseen by an interdepartmental governance structure. It is carried out by a consortium of researchers led by the Economic and Social Research Institute (the ESRI) and Trinity College Dublin.
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So are Ireland’s 35 year olds.
@Joe Shea: The culture these days is to not contemplate home ownership until the 30 to 40 years mark and that’s often attached to to the same stats concerning marriage. So when your responsible life is still a decade further on from you’re 21st it’s party time baby!! It’s your fun time and the drinks companies and fashion companies love your energy. Every penny you have is dedicated to the this is your time fun bus operating two nights of the midweek and all weekend baby!! This continues for a while after college as you begin working and trying to maintain the life but midweek is gone and late bars are now more enjoyable. Finally you’re so pissed off you are ready to enter a relationship and that’s when the tide pulls you out to sea without a life jacket..
@Tommy C: hopefully this generation will not have the pressure to own a house or apartment to have a home. It’s becoming less and less rationale for the majority of people under 30 to reduce the quality of life for 30 years to fulfill this. I’m completely against the build houses only for people on council lists demand, the state should be building planned housing units for rent only as part of the strategic investment fund, and let individual councils rent them from the state if necessary, but always have the option to rent them directly and build up a credit to stay when unemployed or retired? Any other ideas?
@Brin: so right. Sick of government spending my taxes on social housing instead of cheap rental housing for low and middle incomes.
@Joe Shea: 39
@Gee: oh god bless you
so are irelands 55 year olds
Tough one really. It’s fairly bleak that a quarter of 20 year olds are showing signs of stress and depression – that’s worrying for society. I think that perceived societal pressures have a lot to do with it.
Social media beaming out perfect lifestyles, all the must haves and beautiful houses, cars, holidays etc give an unrealistic expectation as to the quality of life.
That said, the proportion that don’t exercise and are overweight also suggests a generation that don’t seem willing to do the hard work in order to improve their lot.
I feel sorry for them in one way, but in another way they are coddled and lazy. I do hope it’s a transition thing – either way, I’m glad I’m not in my 20s again.
@Dara O’Brien: I think the complete inability to afford to live might independently be having more of and effect than social media. A lot of these people have “good” jobs but if you’re working long hours to pay 50% of your wages to rent a hovel knowing that you can’t afford to save for a house deposit or for children etc in the future then you’re going to feel pretty depressed. The best advice for people that aren’t tied down is to emigrate.
@Dara O’Brien: agreed…. it comes down to setting and managing expectations for children from an early age….. the “your all winners” approach doesn’t help prepare kids for the real world
@The Guru: Unfortunately some of these kids don’t have the life tools or network to emigrate, education will only get you so far!
@The Guru: I don’t think that can be correct in this case as over 2 thirds are still living at home so the quality of accommodation wouldn’t be a main driver – in this case at least.
When you consider the amount of students in 3rd level and who are staying on to do a masters and PhD then the percentage still at home in the twenties isn’t so shocking.
Doubtless, the housing situation is a cause of stress for sure but that doesn’t explain the rising obesity levels and dropping physical activity – something more is afoot I feel.
@Dara O’Brien: I don’t think it’s an exercise issue (although in part it might be). Our eating habits as a society have changed and it’s not something that’s only effecting younger generations who are “lazy”. Older generations have never been more overweight.
It might give you a sense of smugness to call others lazy but it’s best to look in the mirror before you do so or actually try to see things from another point of view. Many of this generation has the view that they’re locked out of secure housing and with it the ability to have a family. Maybe they lack non fear based motivation to “improve their lot”.
@sVRCsaSg: Rubbish. Except in a handful of bona fide medical cases, obesity and lack of exercise is down to laziness, bad diet and lack of motivation.
The current housing situation doesn’t make people fat and inactive.
@Dara O’Brien: I agree with you that people need to take personal responsibility. But what I’m saying is it’s unfair to single out this generation. The older generation has never been more obese and aren’t exactly leading any good example. And it might make people good to complain about young people being lazy but their generation is in no way better.
@sVRCsaSg: But the fact that the older generation is overweight has no bearing on helping the younger one. They are independent of each other.
@Dara O’Brien: they exist in the same society and they have access to the same foods. I was watching a program on I think RTÉ not too long ago and they were outlining how serving sizes have gotten bigger and sugar contents increased. There are also other lifestyle factors that have changed society wide that affect all generations.
It’s so unhealthy for a nation to increasingly lock more and more people out of secure housing. Of course people are focusing on careers and financial security over relationships and children. If you’re worried about being able to put a roof over your own head you’re not going to be looking to put one over someone else’s.
It might be good for short term economic growth but in the mid and long term it totally breaks down society and the social contract.
For the future of this nation we need to build.
I feel sorry for the parents as well. Looking forward to freedom only to have the drudgery continue.
@MiseBean: I’m not blaming everything on a generation or saying there should be no personal responsibility for the younger generation but the younger generations inherited these conditions where they can’t afford to more out, or they have to stay in college longer to get the same employment opportunities.
@MiseBean: A lot of parents are refusing houses being built near them in case it devalues their property. They are part to blame. I feel sorry for the adults with good jobs in there 30′s & 40′s who can’t have a family of there own because of lack of security through no fault of there own.
As a 22 year old, I unfortunately have to agree with A LOT of what’s been written in this article. After 2 years of college, I’ve been working for 2 years full time in respectable jobs, with pay increases, over 40 hours a week and I cannot afford to move out of my parents house. I suffer (yes suffer, not this ‘ah grow up, I got on fine, you can too’ attitude) with crippling anxiety and bouts of depression. I don’t drink, I’ve never smoked, I don’t go out to pubs and whatnot. Struggled financially growing up so I am very sensible with money but I know I can’t move out. Emigration is looking like more of a reality next year for me than I ever used to think. Ireland is my home, I’ve never dreamed of it, but am seriously considering it. I don’t give a feck about social media and other people’s lives on it, no one’s life is ever THAT perfect to be looking up to it, it’s ridiculous. I’m rather frustrated with the ‘older generations’ attitude towards 20/30 year olds, times have changed, the sooner that’s realised, the better.
On the radio this morning, someone referred to 20-year-olds as “young people”. Since when are 20-year-olds classified as “young people”.
At 20 years, you’re an adult and need to start behaving like one. Stop watching children’s TV programmes and movies like Game of Thrones and Avengers, and playing silly video games.
@Chin Feeyin: misery guts. I’ve “grown up”, in my 40s and loved Game of Thrones and Avenger movies.
What have people’s extracurricular interests got to do house prices?
@Pilib: Ha Ha.
Apparently, 20-year-olds are now “Post-millennials born from 1997, also known as Gen Z”, according to The Independent.
Gimme a break!
@Chin Feeyin:
While I agree those films are shite, I’m not sure what it has to do with anything. People aren’t magically going to own houses because they start watching antiques roadshow.
What do you do with your evenings? Watch the news on repeat and mutter insults about young people? Young people does not mean children, it means young people. If 20 is middle aged I guess 30 is old and 40 is ancient?
What does “start behaving like an adult” mean anyway?
“That’s it, I’m 18, time to put away all entertainment and spend my evenings watching golf and soccer”
To summarise: OK boomer
@Chin Feeyin: and they need to stop posting silly comments on social media
@Seamus Murphy: Hes a tool, dont bother to engage
Almost 40 years ago I was in my 20s, stressed, and living with my parents and worried about housing. Guess what? I grew up and got over it!
@HuffnPuff: “Almost 40 years ago”, I’m sure you would agree a lot has changed within those years?
Ah bless their cotton socks no different from when we were in our 20s, instead of getting offended by everything and moaning just get on with it
@Jonny: Are you not moaning right now?
What’s wrong with living at home at age 20. 20 years ago most of us were in out mid to late 20s before we moved out. In 5 years time when this property bubble bursts there’ll be plenty of houses available at knock down prices.
Come on. Everyone is stressed
@the-baldie-lad: I agree with that and, if that was where the study ended I’d just say suck it up. The fact that nearly 30% exhibit clinical symptoms of depression is a bit more serious though
Hopefully it doesn’t become the norm like America, to work two jobs just to have a roof over your head.
We are rearing a nation of princesses. If you want to own your own home your expectant lifestyle must change and you must make sacrifices.thats their issue they want designer clothes, phones, toys, holidays living with mammy and then wonder why cant get out of the rut. The best way to habe everything you want or expect as it seems to be now, get of your ass and work for it stop blaming everyone within earshot.
@Doire: If you call clothes from Pennys ‘designer’, 3/4 year old phones ‘new’, toys? (I assume you mean gadgets and crap – no), 4 hour drives to family in the countryside ‘holidays’.. I’ve been spoiled all my life. Thank you for bringing that to my knowledge. We’re not all the same.
Absolute b/s! Go into any town or city on a weekend night and watch them , they spend money like there’s no tomorrow and seem on top of the world! Travel, decent cars, new clothes every time they step out the door. They’re having a great time and rightly so, they’ll soon see what life is when they have children and mortgages of their own.
It’s a tough one for me. I will sympathise with anyone who is going through difficult times, in particular, mentally. The housing situation is just complete shit for anyone who is genuinely affected by it and it’s farcical for the country on an international level too. For young people who have no ties like home loans or children, they have a choice. If you find yourself nailed to the cross, you can either stay there or get down and get your shit together and leave for greener pastures. I don’t buy that coming from a “lower class” backround gives you no option. Plenty of people from rough backrounds have done well. It takes hard work and determination to succeed in changing your circumstances. We are not trees, if we need to we can move. Blaming the government and everyone else is the easy option.
The generations before you/us/everyone going back to the beginning of our young country have consistently left the place in a worse state than they/we got it.This is the society we’ve backed, visionless and expensive with zero services. It will have to get a lot worse before we do something about it. If you want to ‘get on’ in Ireland cheat at something you hate. If you are looking for opportunities to develop your ambitions you need to leave, certainly until you’ve done well enough to return.
Quite sure the parents are equally stressed Not easy on anyone.
If they’re stressed now, I’ve bad news when they hit 30!
Pure laziness
What absolute crap in what generation in this country did 20 year olds leave home and be able to afford a house.
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