Employment and migration problems of rural youth in the Republic of Kalmykia

Abstract

Migration of rural youth is a topical problem in Kalmykia. The purpose of the article is to analyze the reasons for the migration of rural youth, to identify the factors influencing the return of young people to the countryside, their desire to stay and work there. The main research methods are quantitative survey and in-depth interview. The analysis of the study results showed that more than half of the respondents want to leave their village or settlement. The main push factors for migration from rural areas are low wages, lack of jobs, underdeveloped infrastructure, lack of good quality medical care, etc. In most cases, educational migration is irrevocable. For some of the respondents, ‘educational migration’ begins earlier, because there are no senior grades at schools in their settlement or village, or they want to get a high-quality secondary education and to have the possibility to prepare for entering a university or specialized secondary school. The main factor influencing the return of young people to the countryside is the availability of jobs with decent wages, the possibility to have their own housing, as well as the developed of social sphere and sphere of leisure. The obtained results can be used in regional programs for the development of rural areas. Analysis of measures aimed at attracting youth to rural areas in other regions showed it is necessaryly to develop programs aimed at establishing interaction with school graduates and elaborating financial mechanisms to support students. It is also critical to resolve the issue of guaranteed financing of sectoral programs to attract young people to rural areas.