Survey shows Northern Irish emigration increasingly popular

The shocking results of a recent survey show that two-thirds of young Northern Irish citizens see their futures outside their country of birth.

The present-day Irish Diaspora, led by young, newly-qualified professionals and unemployed fully-trained workers in the Republic of Ireland, is now spreading to Northern Ireland, gathering momentum as it goes. A recent survey showed that 66 per cent of Northern Irish youth saw their futures in the UK, Europe, Australia, the USA, New Zealand or even in the Irish Republic.

‘Anywhere but here’ was the strong message given to researchers, with many respondents expressing their wishes to get as far away as they could. The sample’s age group was between 19 and 24 years, with most still living in the North, although some respondents had already left for study or work opportunities overseas.

Britain was the chosen country for 19 per cent, along with the Republic, but 27 per cent planned to get away as far as the USA, Australia or mainland Europe. The survey feeds into other relevant studies, including a report from the Community Relations Council which indicated that uncertainty levels were highest amongst young Protestants, with more Catholics willing to stay and tough it out.

Religion notwithstanding, Protestant emigration has political implications, as most citizens under 40 years of age are Roman Catholic. However, the main thrust is that most of the country’s youth want to leave, thus showing a lack of confidence in the Northern Ireland political system, the country’s economic prospects and the society created in the North since the two halves of the island separated.