Share
27th January 2025
06:44pm GMT
The "Growing Up in Ireland Cohort '98" study has been tracking the lives of people born in 1998 through regular interviews at ages 9, 13, 17, 20, and now 25.
This latest survey included responses from 3,380 participants and provided a snapshot of young adulthood in Ireland.
Over 60% of 25-year-olds are still living with their parents, with financial pressure being the main reason.
Many are finding it tough to make ends meet, with 34% struggling financially and over 5% saying they face significant difficulty just getting by.
The housing situation in Ireland is a big worry for this group - 86% of respondents expressed serious concern about housing access.
Mental health is also a prominent issue, particularly for women; nearly one-third (31%) reported being diagnosed with depression or anxiety at some point, compared to 18% of men.
Education levels are high among this group, with nearly 60% holding a degree and over 10% having a master’s.
The gap in earnings between genders, however, remains noticeable: men earn an average of €64 more per week than women.
In general, those with a degree earn about €613 per week, compared to €485 for those without one.
Around 85% of respondents are in regular employment, earning a median weekly salary of €558.
One in eight respondents had emigrated, reflecting the ongoing trend of young people looking for opportunities abroad.
Closer to home, nearly 59% are in romantic relationships, but politics doesn’t seem to resonate with many: about 20% reported no interest in the subject, and over half hadn’t engaged in any political activity in the past year.
The survey highlighted some concerning health trends, especially among men with degrees,
51% of whom drink at levels categorised by the WHO as hazardous.
Over one in five (21%) said they had tried cocaine in the past year, while more than half (51%) don’t smoke or vape.
Encouragingly, most respondents (89%) rated their health as good or excellent, showing a generally positive outlook on their physical well-being.
Experiences of discrimination were common, with nearly two-thirds reporting they had faced it at least a few times in the past year.
Climate change is a big issue for this generation, with 85% expressing concern about its impact.
While the challenges are clear - housing, financial struggles, and mental health concerns - there’s also a strong sense of resilience and hope among this group.
