Three out of four professionals considering emigration if economy stagnates - survey

Three quarters (74%) of the professional workforce in Ireland would consider leaving in the next three years if the economic situation does not improve, a new survey has found.

Hays, the world’s leading recruiting expert in qualified, professional and skilled people, surveyed 2,173 individuals from backgrounds including IT, accountancy and engineering, regarding emigration last month.

The survey examined the migration of professional and skilled workers from Ireland. More than a third (35%) of the survey’s respondents have left the country in the last three years for work – some to pursue an opportunity and others because they had no other option.

Some 27% left for the UK, 22% for another European country, 15% for Australasia and 7% for North America. Three in five (62%) of those who have moved away from Ireland believe the quality of life is better where they now reside.