2015 EU Youth Report released

The European Commission this week published the 2015 EU Youth Report. With regard to Ireland, the report reveals that Ireland recorded the highest fall in percentage points in its youth population since 2010 (-4 pp.). Ireland also recorded one of the largest proportions of young citizens leaving the country to settle in another EU Member State, although this trend is declining.

The EU Youth Report gives a full picture of the situation of young people in Europe and how policy-makers have addressed it in the period 2013-2015.

With regard to Ireland, the report reveals that Ireland recorded the highest fall in percentage points in its youth population since 2010 (-4 percentage points). Ireland also recorded one of the largest proportions of young citizens leaving the country to settle in another EU Member State, although this trend is declining. At the same time, Ireland saw one of the highest rates of immigration of young people from other EU countries.

Other areas covered by the report include education, employment and entrepreneurship, health and well-being, voluntary activities, etc.

In 2014 nearly one in three 15 to 24 year olds in employment worked part-time in the EU 28 (31.9%).  In Ireland that rate was much higher at 46 per cent. Only 2 per cent of young people in Ireland were willing to become entrepreneurs.  Ireland has one of the lowest rates of young people who are self-employed (1.7%).  Ireland also has one of the highest over-qualification rates for young people aged 25-34 (meaning that these people are over qualified for their job). 

Ireland has the highest (26.4%) share of young people aged 15 to 29 living in households with very low work intensity in the EU.  Young people in Ireland report having poorer levels of mental health and wellbeing than the general population.  Ireland also had the third highest proportion of young people aged 15 to 24 not in employment, education or training (NEET) in 2011 although this had dropped to 8th place (15%) by 2014.

Ireland had one of the highest decreases in mental health and wellbeing scores for young people between 2007 and 2011.  Ireland also has one of the highest suicide rates for young men and young women aged 15-24.

Ireland has a higher level of youth participation in political participation that other EU member states.  11.7% of young people in Ireland are actively volunteering and participating in the field of human rights and global development.  One in three young people in Ireland has engaged in voluntary activities.

Young people in Ireland with a high level of formal education are more than twice as likely to possess good computer skills compared to their peers with lower levels of educational attainment.

The six sections of the 2015 EU Youth Report are available to download here.

The Eurostat Statistical Report 'Being Young in Europe Today' is available to download here.