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Ireland – UK remains top destination for emigrating Irish professionals despite Brexit

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Ireland – UK remains top destination for emigrating Irish professionals despite Brexit

18 July 2017

Irish professionals are still migrating to the UK despite the country’s decision to leave the EU, according to data from LinkedIn Ireland. The data shows that between October 2016 and April 2017, 26% of all professionals who left Ireland opted for the UK, this was 1% lower than in the previous six-month period, but still ranked at the top for emigrating Irish professionals.

“While there is a slight fall in the total share of professionals emigrating to the UK compared to the previous period, it is still too early to tell whether this is a trend which will continue in the short term," Sharon McCooey, senior director of international operations and site leader of LinkedIn Ireland, said.

The US came in second after the UK, attracting 12.3% of Irish professionals with Spain, Australia and France rounding out the top five.

The data from LinkedIn showed that the top five sectors where people sought opportunities abroad are HR, marketing, social services, project management, and media and communications.

Meanwhile, Ireland continues to be a highly sought after destination due to Brexit.

"Ireland remains highly attractive for migrating professionals thanks to our membership of the EU, particularly given that we will soon be the only English-speaking member of the Eurozone," McCooey said. “Brazil is the top net source for professionals moving to Ireland as a whole, with roughly one in five professionals [are] moving to Ireland from the South American country.”