Waterford has the highest expected emigration rate in the country, with students feeling the strain of high costs and limited career opportunities.
That's according to a nationwide survey by Studyclix which involved 1,300 sixth-year students.
Waterford findings:
- Housing: 52% not expecting to be able to buy a home in Waterford
- Work prospects: 41% see themselves working locally after graduation, slightly higher than national average of 40%
- 70% of Waterford students likely to emigrate, well above national average of 54% and highest rate in the country
- Cost of living: 56% say it’s a major factor in their college decision, much higher than average (34%).
National findings:
- 40% of students are unsure whether their CAO choice is correct
- 15% seek private career guidance over lack of support from guidance counsellors
- Use of AI now rampant: almost 1 in 5 students using it for Leaving Cert project work
- 66% not expecting to be able to buy home in their home county when they start work
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The Studyclix Student Survey 2025 aims to provide valuable insights into the challenges faced by school students in Ireland.
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