Two thirds of 25-year-olds in Ireland have experienced some type of discrimination, according to research from the ESRI.
Findings from the group's Growing Up in Ireland 1998 study also indicates that the majority, or 76%, of those aged 17 here have also experienced some type of discrimination at least a few times a year.
This proportion reduced to 66% at age 25.
The findings are based on data collected by the study, which interviewed young people born in 1998 when they were 17 and 25 years old, to assess their perception of discrimination.
It found that most of those aged 17 who had perceived discrimination felt that this was related to their age (63%), followed by appearance (54%) and gender (40%).
At age 25, gender was the most cited ground for discrimination.
They were asked if they experienced behaviour on an Everyday Discrimination Scale (EDS) which includes being treated with less courtesy or respect than other people, receiving poorer service than other people at restaurants or stores and people acting as if they are not smart.
Other discriminatory behaviour included "people acting as they are afraid of you" and being threatened or harassed.
The group was asked to give answers on how often they experience such behaviour.
The response categories were: Almost every day, at least once a week, a few times a month, a few times a year, less than once a year and never.
At 17, young men reported higher EDS scores than women, but that was reversed when they reached the age of 25, with women reporting higher scores.
At 17, young men were more likely to report that people act as if they are afraid of you - 42.2% of those that reported discrimination - than women at 26%.
Among those recording any discrimination at age 17, the proportion who report they were threatened or harassed was 27% for men and 17.6% for women, and this pattern then reverses at age 25 to 28.6% of men and 35.5% of women.
The study also looked at sociodemographic factors and EDS scores at the relevant age.
It found that at 17, females have lower scores compared to males, while transgender and LGBA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and asexual) young people record higher scores than their cisgender and heterosexual counterparts.
Those with a disability that hampers daily activities and those with a long-lasting condition, which does not hampered activities, have significantly higher EDS scores at 17 years old compared to those who do not have a disability.
It also found that "young people with no religion have higher EDS scores than their Catholic counterparts".
Citizenship is also significant in the model but unexpectedly those who are not Irish citizens have lower EDS scores than their Irish counterparts.
Looking at time spent online produced conflicting evidence.
Large amounts of time spent online was associated with higher EDS scores, with those who spend between zero and three hours per day online reporting lower EDS scores than those who spend more than three hours online.
However, those who spend no time online reported higher EDS scores than those who spend more than three hours online.
Perceived grounds of discrimination
Individual characteristics are also associated with the perceived grounds of discrimination.
The study reports that the female 17-year-olds were more likely to report gender discrimination and age discrimination than males, and less likely to report discrimination on the grounds of ethnicity, appearance and accent.
Being transgender was significantly associated with higher odds of reporting discrimination on the grounds of gender, sexual orientation and disability.
Being LGBA+ was associated with higher odds of reporting discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation or appearance.
Having a disability that restricts daily activities was significantly related to disability-based discrimination and appearance-based discrimination.
Those who are not Irish citizens or have an ethnic minority parent were more likely to report ethnic/racial discrimination.
Compared to the professional/managerial social class, belonging to any other social class was significantly associated with higher ethnic discrimination, and discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and appearance.
At 25, the authors found fewer characteristics significantly associated with reporting discrimination on specific grounds.
It said: "Being female is associated with higher odds of gender discrimination and age discrimination, and lower odds of ethnic and sexual orientation discrimination.
"LGBA+ status is associated with higher odds of reporting discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation, and minority ethnic status is significantly associated with higher ethnic discrimination, as would be expected.
"Being from a rural background is associated with lower odds of perceived discrimination based on ethnicity, age, and accent."
The report said those who report experiencing discrimination are likely to have worse outcomes in terms of general health, self-esteem and depression.
It noted that most of the perceived discrimination is not reported and may not meet legal thresholds for reporting.
It concluded that while anti-discrimination and equality legislation can have a role in addressing these issues, it cannot deal with all behaviours and recommends support for young people who are impacted by these issues.
