Participating in Society

Below we present a range of data that provides "snap shots" of how children and young people in Ireland are doing in relation to National Outcome 5: Connected, respected and contributing to their world.

Diversity in our child and youth population

  • Between 5% and 10% of the total Irish population are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or Transgender. Between 8% and 11% of the 12-25 Irish population are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or Transgender (Dooley and Fitzgerald, My World Survey, 2013).
  • In 2011, there were 93,005 foreign national children (0-17 years of age) in Ireland. This accounted for 8.3% of the total child population of Ireland and is an increase of 49.5%, from 62,211 in 2006. The number of foreign national boys is 47,214 and girls is 45,791 (Department of Children and Youth Affairs, State of the Nation’s Children, 2012).
  • According to the 2011 Census, 1.2% of the total child (0-17 years of age) population are Travellers. 42% of Travellers are under 15 years of age and almost one-third (32.9%) of Traveller children were less than 5 years old (Department of Children and Youth Affairs, 2012).
  • In 2011, there were 14,245 Traveller children in Ireland. This accounted for 1.2% of the total child population (0-17 years-old) and 48.2% of the total Traveller population. Almost one-third (32.9%) of Traveller children were less than 5 years old (State of the Nation’s Children, 2012). 

Social and political activity

  • Most 9-year-olds (over 90%) were described by their parents as having ‘at least two or three close friends’ (Growing Up in Ireland, 2009).
  • Growing Up in Ireland (2009) study showed that 75% of 9-year-olds were involved in some form of organised sports club or organisation. Participation was higher amongst boys (84%) than girls (67%). Structured sports club participation increased with family income – this is already mentioned in Active and Health section.
  • Over 380,000, or 43% of children and young people aged between 10 and 24 participate in youth work (Indecon, Economic Value of Youth Work, 2012).

Self concept

  • At 13 years of age, boys had higher overall scores compared to girls on ‘overall self-concept’ and also on ‘physical appearance’, ‘freedom from anxiety’ and ‘happiness’ (Growing Up in Ireland, 2012).
  • Girls, in contrast, were more likely than boys to have higher scores on ‘general behaviour’, indicating fewer 13-year-old girls displaying problematic behaviour (Growing Up in Ireland, 2012). 

Click here for data sources and references.

 

Find out more:

How healthy are our children and young people?

Want to find out more about how children and young people are doing in education?

Are children and young people in Ireland safe and secure?

What about poverty or employment?

 

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