Generation Paused: Young brace for long-term economic impact of pandemic

It’s too early to assess the scale of the economic effects of Covid-19 on Ireland’s under-25s — but current levels of joblessness and lack of opportunities for young people may be an early indication that its impact will be deep and long-lasting, writes Maresa Fagan

Monthly unemployment data from the Central Statistics Office reveal that jobless rates are three times higher in under 25s, with more young women out of work than their male peers, bucking traditional trends.

The true scale of the economic impacts of the Covid pandemic on youth unemployment is not yet clear but a higher jobless rate in under 25s will require careful monitoring as the country moves towards a full reopening of the economy.

In the first of a two-day series of features, the Irish Examiner takes a look at the hard data and speaks to those keeping track of youth unemployment levels.