Brexit could lead to brain drain of young people

More than 2 million young people could leave the UK if the country leaves the EU, according to the results of a new survey by OfficeBroker.com.

It found that 15.4% of 18 to 34 year-olds would consider emigration if the UK votes to leave the EU in June’s referendum. The figure was higher in the North East, with almost a third considering leaving the UK.

Worryingly, despite the fact that emigration involves massive upheaval, only just over half (56.7%) of the young people surveyed answered with a categorical ‘no’. Just over a quarter said that they would prefer not to say at this stage, leaving open the possibility that Britain could face a dramatic brain drain were the decision made to leave the EU. Some 43.2% of people were open to the idea of emigration.  

The biggest losses would come from males aged 18-24, over 18% of whom said they would consider leaving the UK in light of a Brexit. In England and Wales more than half of all survey respondents (56.9% and 66.7% respectively) said that they would be happy in a UK outside of the EU, while in Scotland over a third (37%) preferred not to say.

The most striking result came from Northern Ireland however, where 23% per cent of 18-34 year olds said that they would seriously consider emigration in the event of a ‘leave’ vote.

When broken down by gender, an astonishing 42% of Northern Irish females would consider emigration.  In the North East of England nearly a third (32%) of respondents said they would view leaving the UK as an option if we left the EU.

OfficeBroker.com spokesperson, Chris Meredith, said: “There are so many different factors to consider when it comes to Brexit”, but while all the politicians are focusing on trade deals and security – both obviously important matters – it seems that they’re neglecting another of the public’s serious concerns: quality of life.

“Precautions need to be taken on both sides of the argument to make sure that whatever result comes through, Brits of all ages are left feeling confident about life in the UK. In the last two years Britain has started moving forward once more; we can’t afford to lose that momentum in a “Brexit” point-scoring exercise.”