Last year witnessed a significant exodus of individuals from Ireland toward Australia, hitting the highest emigration rates since 2013, figures derived from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) confirm. The 12-month period up to April 2024 observed an estimated 10,600 people relocating from Ireland to Australia, a surge of 126 per cent compared to the previous year that saw 4,700 individuals making the same move. These statistics, the highest emigration records to Australia since 2013, inclusive of those under the Working Holiday Visa, were shared by the CSO.
By contrast, the volume of people returning or migrating to Ireland from Australia registered a decrease of 17 per cent from the prior year. It was recorded that 6,400 individuals moved to Ireland from Australia in the same 12 months, a decline from 7,700 the preceding year.
In responding to these figures, the Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO) articulated a mounting concern over the increasing trend of teachers relocating from Ireland to destinations like Australia. Adding to the recruitment and retention difficulties is the allure of international roles where teachers’ expertise and experience are more appreciated and lucratively rewarded.
According to the INTO spokesperson, attractive and affordable living conditions, enhanced career advancement prospects, and more gratifying work environments overseas are compelling competent educators to relocate, leading to a strain in local schools as they strive to retain sufficient teaching staff to maintain the standards of learning.
Furthermore, the Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI), representing secondary school teachers, indicated that teachers were opting to move due to a dearth of permanent contracts or full-time positions, metaphorically casting their vote by moving to teach abroad. The organisation raised further alarm that the global language teaching recruitment and retention concern should be regarded with even higher significance as countries like Australia continue to recruit teachers from Ireland, often providing them with job security that new second-level teachers in Ireland lack.
Last year saw a migration wave from Ireland, with a significant 70,000 people leaving the country. For some, this was a matter of personal preference, choosing to seek new experiences in Australia and other places. However, a spokesperson emphasised that factors like the housing crisis and difficulties in obtaining secure, full-time employment also play a significant part in this choice.
Phil Ní Sheaghdha, the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation’s (INMO) general secretary, highlighted that nursing and midwifery professions in particular are being heavily impacted by this outward movement. She pointed out that the future sustainability of the healthcare workforce in Ireland is at stake if steps are not taken to encourage new and recent graduates to establish their careers locally.
Ní Sheaghdha expressed concern over the challenging conditions faced by trainees in these sectors, which include overstressed services, full-to-capacity facilities and a lack of decent, inexpensive accommodation within acceptable commuting distance. She pointed out the dual physical and mental demands of their roles, coupled with lengthy commutes and subpar living conditions, was dissuading many from building their careers in Ireland.
In addition to Australia, 15,200 individuals relocated from the Republic to the UK, a figure which increased from 14,600 in 2023. Conversely, 20,500 people moved from the UK to the Republic, up from 18,400. The total number of emigrants during the year leading up to April 2024 was the highest it has been since 2015.
An analysis of the 69,900 emigrants estimated to have left reveals that 34,700 were Irish nationals, 10,600 held EU citizenship, 3,000 were UK citizens and 21,500 hailed from other nations, including Ukraine. Close to half, 48%, of all emigrants were aged between 25-44, while 24,600 were between the ages of 15-24.