According to new figures from the Direct Selling Association of Ireland, the number of direct sellers under age 25 spiked 60 percent in 2012. The under-25 segment now makes up 13 percent of Ireland’s 16,000 direct sellers.
As the DSAI has already reported, the number of individuals signing up as distributors increased 121 percent between 2008 and 2012—amid otherwise lethargic economic conditions. Industry sales in Ireland more than doubled within that same time period.
The latest numbers suggest that young people find the opportunity and flexibility of direct selling appealing, particularly in the midst of Ireland’s 26.7 percent youth unemployment. The statistic from Ireland doubles figures recently released by the UK Direct Selling Association, which show that distributors in the same under-25 demographic had increased by nearly a third (29 percent) in 2012. These young people now represent 19 percent of all UK direct sellers.
“Despite the difficult jobs market, there is a real desire among many young people in Ireland to run their own business and make a very successful career. Direct selling offers just that to everyone, regardless of age or background, alongside a chance to gain highly valuable entrepreneurial skills and work experience,” said Lynda Mills, Director of the DSAI.
