Greystones Student wins National Young Economist of the Year 2026
A Transition Year student from Greystones Community College has secured first place at the national final of the Young Economist of the Year Final 2026.
Congratulations to Abhay Byrne, whose project examined the economics of ‘Working from home’ and its positive impact on standards of living.
Abhay’s award was the culmination of months of detailed research. Following submissions from schools across Ireland, shortlisted students who achieved gold and silver medals were invited to University College Dublin to present their projects and participate in interviews with the judging panel to determine the overall winners.
Using data from the Central Statistics Office, Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service, and the World Bank, Abhay analysed economic trends affecting Irish workers. His research demonstrated that, in the post-COVID era, workers who were able to work from home experienced significant improvements in their lifestyles, finances, and family relationships.
He also linked his findings to several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including Decent Work and Economic Growth, Good Health and Wellbeing, and Sustainable Cities and Communities.
Abhay was awarded first place among all Transition Year entries. The judges praised the project for its practical application and original research.
Principal Ruairi Farrell commented, “We are immensely proud of Abhay and this outstanding achievement at national level. His dedication, analytical ability and commitment to exploring real-world economic issues exemplify the very best of Transition Year learning. This success is also a testament to the support and encouragement provided by his teacher, Mr Carroll and the opportunities provided for our students’.
YEOTY, as it has become affectionately known, is now in its thirteenth year and has grown into a significant national initiative that celebrates and promotes the enjoyment and understanding of economics. This year, hundreds of entries from schools across the country were shortlisted with the best and brightest making it through shortlisting to the national awards —an achievement that reflects the increasing importance and recognition of the initiative. The 2026 YEOTY entries reflect an impressive range of themes and perspectives, highlighting students’ ability to think critically and creatively about both national and global economic issues. Topics explored this year include sustainability, inequality, public policy, technological change, and globalisation. From investigations into current affairs to analyses of emerging economic trends, the projects on display demonstrate the insight and analytical skills of a new generation of economists.
This is a tremendous achievement for Abhay, Economics teacher Mr Carroll, and everyone at Greystones Community College.