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Growing Up in Ireland (GUI) is the national longitudinal study of children and young people.
This important survey gathers data on the issues facing children and young people today.
Growing Up in Ireland (GUI) is an important survey that follows the lives of thousands of children and young people born in Ireland. GUI Cohort ’08 have participated in the survey since they were nine months old.
The world has changed a lot since the last GUI ’08 survey in 2021/2022. Now that this group are approaching adulthood, we want to find out how teenagers and young adults have been affected by these changes.
The vital data collected in the last survey provided real insights into the lives of teenagers in Ireland. It helped us to know what things were important to teenagers and what things they wanted to change.
With so much happening in the world around us, it is important that the voices of teenagers and young adults are heard. This survey is an opportunity to hear such voices.
GUI has given researchers and policymakers unique insights into the lives of children and young people at particular stages of their life: their achievements, their challenges, and how they have experienced life’s milestones.
The most recent full survey was carried out on this group when they were 13 years old in 2021/2022. There was also a special online survey carried out in 2020 to trace their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The next stage of GUI ’08 gives us an opportunity to follow up on the lives and issues faced by people aged 17 or 18 in Ireland today. This will help local, national and European policy makers formulate decisions about services for young people and their families.
From autumn 2025, we are following up with participants as young adults to learn about their life and what matters to them now.
The Growing Up in Ireland (GUI) Survey is an essential national study focused on understanding the lives of children and their families in Ireland. Conducted by the Central Statistics Office (CSO), this survey gathers important data that helps shape decisions and policies around healthcare, childcare, and support services for families like yours.
Cohort ’08, who turn 17 in 2025, have participated in the survey since they were nine months old.
From autumn 2025, we will send out letters to families to let them know that interviews for the next round of GUI will shortly commence. We may also send you a text message.
If you receive a letter to participate, we want to hear about the next chapter of your story. Your voice matters and we would be grateful if you can take the time to do this survey.
By taking part in the Growing Up in Ireland (GUI) survey, you will be helping to shape the future for children in Ireland. We will get a better understanding of how families live and what is important to them in raising their child and of the supports that may be needed.
The facts the CSO gathers through the GUI survey help improve planning and services for children and their families including:
By participating, you are contributing to valuable research that will benefit children, families, and communities across Ireland. Your story could help create a better future for your child. Through this survey, you can be the voice for their future.
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Taking part in the GUI survey is straightforward, and your information is completely confidential. All data collected is protected by law under the Statistics Act, 1993, ensuring that your responses are secure and anonymous.
Protecting your confidentiality and privacy is at the heart of everything we do. We never share your personal information with any third party or government agency. Your confidentiality is protected by law which means no individual or household can be identified from the data we publish.
We are here to support you throughout the process. If you have any questions about your participation, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Email: CSOTakePart@cso.ie
Phone: 021 453 5110
Find answers to common questions about the Growing Up in Ireland survey and about Cohort '08
Find information and contact details on a range of support services that can help with a range of issues
Details of data gathered in this survey, how it is processed and protected
The Growing Up in Ireland Survey website presented by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth provides information on the study from its launch in 2008
Learn about how the CSO work with data, the protections we have in place, and our approach to ethics and transparency
Learn about our data and confidentiality safeguards, and the steps we take to produce statistics that can be trusted by all.