The emigration of so many during the famine led to the establishment of huge Irish
communities abroad, particularly in the United States—by then the destination of choice for
the vast majority.[...] These include, but are not limited to, issues associated with an
increasingly unfavorable age dependency ratio; a reduction in the levels of skilled,
educated, and/or young workers; and a reduction of spending in particular sectors of the
economy. 40 Of course, the extent of the impact depends on the size of immigration and the …