We need your help now
Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.
You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.
If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.
Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
By continuing, you are indicating that you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
ALMOST ONE IN TWO people in Ireland has a friend who emigrated in the past five years, according to a new survey by Sponge It.
The ‘State of the Nation’ survey found that 48 per cent said they have a friend who emigrated since 2007, while 39 per cent have an extended relative who emigrated.
Half of those who answered the survey said they think Ireland will be out of a recession by 2016. Overall, more than half said they would describe Ireland as ‘corrupt’.
One third of survey respondent said they feel confident about their job security, compared with 45 per cent who feel unsure about future employment. Meanwhile, nine out of ten unemployed people said they feel unsure about their future employment.
Four out of ten people said that unemployment and the lack of job prospects are serious threats to their future health and happiness. Half said that they have none of their income leftover at the end of the month.
Asked how they would spend any Lotto winnings, the number one response was to use the money to take care of family members, while paying off mortgages and personal loans came in second. Travelling the world was the third-most popular choice for spending the windfall.
Digital research company Sponge It interviewed 872 people online between 20 June and 10 July 2012 for their survey. People register with Sponge It to participate in surveys and are paid in ‘sponge it’ points which can be redeemed on a range of rewards from home appliances to holiday vouchers.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Half of my friends are gone, I jumped ship myself. What I found strange about the article is that nearly have of the people wouldn’t describe Ireland as corrupt. My opinion is that it has been corrupt since it was founded, making sure that people with money could get away with things that less well off couldn’t.
Running away won’t help. There are social programs to assist the unemployed.
Tim, I decided not to stay in Ireland and work in any job I could get my hands on when I could go abroad and work in the profession that I studied for 4 years to be a part of.
Suggesting that thats running away suggests to me that you’re not in touch with the desires of young people to make something of themselves beyond what the state can offer. And why shouldn’t they??
Lifestyle choice.
I’d like to choose a life of leisure in the Maldives, please.
Deirdre,
I hold a degree and have stayed in Ireland because despite being unsuccessful on the job front, unemployment is nothing new here. Also consider the bureaucracy of paperwork and flight tickets and how expensive they are. Then, you need to find a place to stay in the host country…The list goes on. It’s better to avail of your entitlements until you find a job in Ireland. I’m not mad about heading abroad just because my friends are. It’s called being independent minded.
You’re right, Tim, moving abroad is very difficult for all those reasons. I’m glad I did though, instead of waiting for opportunities to come to me.
If the only reason you see for moving abroad is because your friends are doing it, then maybe you’re better off doing it your own way. Each to their own. Good luck with it.
Corrupt it most certainly is!
well said….
Sorry but Ireland is the 19th least corrupt country in the world.
I absolutely hate when people use the word corrupt to describe this country with clarify what they mean. In terms of political corruption, you are just wrong (save the obvious examples). Ireland is one of the least corrupt countries in the world according to the CPI http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corruption_Perceptions_Index
If you state that the people who run this country are morally corrupt, despite my disagrement with you, then that is a different statement.
Martin the one thing the political elite are best at is creating an illusion that this country is not corrupt with the help of the media of course
Sorry Martin,
but when excuses like I won it on the horses are seen as acceptable from the leader of a country and tribunals come to wishy washy conclusions about individuals, who can then carry on their merry way in public life or media etc, we have a serious problem regardless of league table rankings.
I currently have 8 out of a circle of 10 gone. 1 is unemployed and can’t get the money up to leave, and me well if it wasn’t for the kids and misses I would be gone years ago too.
Maybe you should broaden your circle.
I have I was talking about close friends that I grew up with.
And we still have over 40,000 moving to this country this year alone ,,, something not adding up there
Last one out please turn off the lights
my son has left my friend has left now my daughter is talking of leaving …. feeling great i am this country has so let us all down
its sad but true to say I have know 4 familys that left Ireland in the past 3 months due to our Goverments lack of honesty,…these Familys are professionals in their field of work and find working here in Ireland is Crippling them….so they had no choice but to immergrate…
‘immergrate’ jaysus
So the lottery is the only solution?
I left Ireland in 2006 and it was the best thing I ever did ,but I feel so sorry for the people that have to leave and don’t want to ,it’s a disgrace
Legalise prostitution, and all drugs..
Don’t worry the five point plan will save us, there’s 100,000 jobs coming so they’ll all be back
All this country needs is a few decent people elected to run it! Surely it can’t be that difficult!! When you have people in power prepared to sit back and say nothing about Mick Wallace and others committing serious crimes, it makes one wonder what the hell is going on! It’s so bloody frustrating! I never thought I’d see the day when the likes of Joe Higgins and Clare Daly are trying to justify blatant robbery!
What the article doesn’t point out is that most return within a year or two.
Over 2 years and counting. Most likely be gone for over 6. Many students achieve their bachelors degree in Ireland before moving abroad for masters and/or doctorates. Education is much cheaper abroad.
Which countires have cheaper 3rd level education than Ireland? It cost about 80,000 to do a Bachelors Degree in USA, I know UK is pretty expensive too!
I study in the Netherlands. It costs me 1700 per year for a bachelors and a masters degree would set me back the exact same amount. You’ll find that is significantly cheaper than Ireland.
Would love to see the age breakdown in this – perhaps 48% of the overall population know someone who’s left, I’d imagine people my age (mid twenties…ish ;) ) would have a much higher percentage.
with so many leaving why is it then we still have a lot of people still migrating to ireland something really doesn’t add up like
48% seems low. So 52% don’t know anyone who has left the country in the last 5 years… You can’t go half way across the globe without meeting someone who used to live next door. It’s the most Irish of Irish things. “Aghh Seamus you’re living out here are ya, I knew your Uncle, he was a brother of mine.”
Half of the people who ‘emigrated’ will be back in a few years when the visa expires
Most people emigrated to countries within the EU, even though it would seem they’ve all gone to Australia.
The would be a good poll for the journal to make, if readers have plans to leave or have they already have emigrated…i think it would be interesting !
I’ve been away almost 4 years and been fighting long and hard for my visa! Its not that simple to just get up and leave plus some of these countries make it easy for you to go to but make it hard if u wanna stay!
Its a hard decision to make to leave but when your in ur 20s living at home with no job, and not for want of trying i tell you,, its pretty demeaning to someones character
And I’m sure those who do come home when their visa has ran out probably dnt even want to come home but have to by law!
Which is the correct thing to do as we are so quick to judge illegal immigrants in our own country…
have your say