Migration sentiments of modern youth of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia)

Abstract

The subject of the research in this article is the migration sentiments of the modern youth of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia). For Yakutia, both in Soviet and modern times, the importance of migration has always been enormous. Migration indicators are the most sensitive in relation to the socio-political and economic conditions of the development of the country and the region and require more careful research. The authors consider in detail such aspects of the topic as the socio-demographic characteristics of potential young emigrants from Yakutia, and preferred destinations for migration. Special attention is paid to the identification of the causes of migration that stimulate the active outflow of young people from Yakutia, the factors that shape migration moods among residents of the region. In addition, the article reveals the relationship between the potential migration activity of young people and satisfaction with the standard of living in the region, as well as the experience of traveling abroad. The main research method was a questionnaire survey of residents of Yakutia aged 17 to 35 years, conducted in October 2023. 239 respondents from 9 districts of Yakutia and Yakutsk took part in the survey. The study revealed a high level of migration sentiment among the youth of Yakutia, more than 90% of respondents plan to move to another locality in the future, either to another region or abroad. The share of those wishing to move to another country was 46.6%, to another region of Russia - 52.2%. Emigration sentiments were highest among men aged 17 to 25, single, unemployed and students. The main reasons that encourage young people to emigrate are the desire to improve the quality of life, unfavorable natural and climatic conditions in the north, the desire to travel and a more fulfilling life. Dissatisfaction with the standard of living among young people leads to an increased desire to move to other regions of Russia or abroad.