Low incomes and a "negative" public image are among the reasons behind the lack of attractiveness of farming in Ireland.

This is according to a recent report published by the European Commission's Joint Research Centre.

The report, titled 'Who is willing to take up farming in Ireland?', looked at young citizens’ general image, perception, and intentions towards the agricultural sector as a professional career.

"As in the rest of the EU, farming in Ireland is characterised by an ageing demographic profile," the report said.

"These numbers suggest that while efforts to attract new young farmers have been made by the national and European authorities, the participation of the young population remains low in the agricultural sector."

Based on 885 young respondents (18-40 years-old) from Ireland, the study identified their current perception of agriculture and willingness to pursue a professional career in farming.

Results are analysed considering place of residence (urban or rural) and whether they have family members already engaged inagriculture.

How do young Irish see agriculture?

93% of respondents declared that farming is important in society today.

"However, the importance of farming in the future is expected to decline slightly, as only 89% share the same opinion when considering the role of agriculture in society in 15 years’ time," the report said.

"The emotional connection to farming is also somehow present, with 46% of respondents agreeing that they see the agricultural world as something they want to belong to, compared with 29% of respondents who disagree.

"Here, only 42% of respondents believe farmers enjoy a good quality of life."

The authors outlined that the reasons behind the lack of attractiveness of farming are mainly driven by low-income prospects.

52% consider that farmers receive a low income and 42% consider that farming is a worse-paying professional career than other opportunities that they might have.

A "negative public image" was also highlighted with 46% of respondents suggesting farmers have a worse public image than workers in other economic sectors.

The report said there is strong consensus among young Irish people on the need for farming to "prioritise environmental andethical considerations".

"An overwhelming 81% agree that farming should take environmental protection into account, with almost no one disagreeing with this (just 6% combined)," the report said.

"Similarly, 85% also believe ethical considerations, such as animal welfare, should be central to farming.

"These results reflect a societal expectation for farming to align with sustainability and ethical standards."

How many would be willing to enter farming?

Young Irish citizens were asked if they had ever considered farming as a professional career.

According to the survey, only a minority of them currently have concrete plans to become a farmer (5.5%).

"This figure rises to 10.5% among individuals with a family background in agriculture, suggesting that familial connections influence the decision to become a farmer.

"Geographically, rural areas display a slightly higher rate of 6.2 %. Towns and suburbs have the lowest rate at 4.1%, while cities alignclosely with the general population at 5.7%," the report said.

In terms of interest, 15.8% of the citizens surveyed declare that they have considered farming as a professional career.

This interest is higher (23.3%) among those citizens with family ties to agriculture.

For the respondents without such familial connections, the interest drops to 10.9%.

When examining geographic differences, cities exhibit the highest level of interest at 17.7%, while rural areas, on the other hand, show the lowest interest at 12.8%.

Primary source of income

Among those young Irish currently in the process of becoming a farmer, a large majority considers it their primary source of income (51%).

For those who declare they would consider becoming a farmer, farming would be more a part-time activity combined with some other source of income (50%), compared to 35% that would plan for it to be a primary source of income.

The most common activity that farmers would undertake is livestock production (45%), followed by horticulture (13%), and a mixed farm production system (13%).

Citizens that considered, at least at some point, pursuing farming as a career, were asked what were the main reasons that motivated them to consider this professional career.

The most commonly cited reason is a passion for nature (55%), followed by enjoying outdoor work (39%), and a desire for self-sufficiency (36%).

Among respondents not interested in farming, the high start-up costs (36%) emerge as the most significant reason discouraging interest in the sector.

Promixity not enough

The authors said that while society at large acknowledges farming as essential to both present and future societal wellbeing, this recognition contrasts with concerns.

"This ambivalence is reflected in the low rates of agricultural career interest by young Irish, with just 5.5% of the surveyed citizens actively transitioning into farming with a 15.8% expressing interest.

"Familial connections to agriculture emerge as a decisive factor, as individuals from farming backgrounds are nearly five times more likely to pursue or nearly two times more likely [to] consider a career in the sector compared to those without such ties.

"Interestingly, while rural areas show the highest levels [of] actual transition into farming, they do not necessarily correspond to the highest rates of interest into farming, suggesting that proximity to agriculture alone is not enough to drive interest," the report said.

Disconnects

The report noted that though economic opportunity plays a role, farming is seen above all as a "meaningful and values-driven career choice, with financial and family considerations remaining relevant but secondary".

"Conversely, the disinterest in farming is driven primarily by the high costs and practical barriers to entering the sector, followed by concerns about the physical demands, lifestyle constraints, and uncertain financial returns associated with the profession.

"Disconnects between societal appreciation for farming’s importance and the reluctance to embrace it professionally underscores the need for systemic changes to make the sector more accessible, rewarding, and aligned with modern aspirations," the report added.