Migration of Rural Youth in Altai Krai As an Agrarian Region

Abstract

This paper analyzes changes in the scale and structure of real and potential migration of rural youth and the impact on them of key regulators in Altai krai since the early 2000s using statistical data, results of quantitative and qualitative surveys of the population and experts, public policy documents, and media materials. It describes the model of migration flows of rural youth with consideration for commuting and seasonal migration and gives a quantitative assessment of the scale of migration. The increasing influence of family networks as a catalyst for the migration of young people to cities and the growing role of rural business as an inhibitor are identified. The effects and defects of state policy as regards the impact on socioeconomic development of rural areas in the krai, on the social position for rural youth, consequently, on decreasing its migration are revealed. The orientations of state policy aimed at improving the social situation for rural youth and decreasing its migration are proposed.