Irish emigrations to Australia more than doubled in the past year, according to newly released data from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) – the highest level since 2013.
“In the 12 months to April 2024, there was a strong outward flow to Australia,” the statistics body said.
“Estimates have shown that 10,600 people left Ireland to live in Australia, up from 4,700 last year (+126%). This is the highest level of emigration to Australia since 2013.”
During the same period, 6,400 people moved the other way to Ireland from Australia – down from 7,700 in 2023 (-17%).
Responding to the figures, Sinn Féin TD Mairéad Farrell said that the numbers were “no surprise”, and that things were clearly “going wrong” for young people.
“We have all seen the rise in young people leaving for Australia, so today’s CSO figures will not come as a surprise to any of us, because we see it in our friendship groups, in our family circles and in our neighbourhoods,” she said.
“We keep being told that the economy is doing well, but very clearly something is going wrong for young people here that they feel there is no alternative but to go to Australia.”
Farrell said that the housing situation was a contributory factor.
“Rents are so high that many young people have no choice but to continue to live with their parents into their 30s,” she said.
“House prices show no signs of falling, and with lack of affordable housing, home ownership is out of the reach of ordinary working people. These are young people who have been forced to go abroad because they feel they have no ability to build a life here.”
The Galway TD laid responsibility for this at the feet of the government.
“We have heard again today that more young people are leaving our shores,” she said.
“This is the legacy of the government. Why is the government continuing to fail our younger generation?”
As of February this year, the Australian embassy in Dublin claimed that there were around 27,000 Irish visa holders in Australia.