Young migrants and their transition to adulthood: A case study of Bhutan's Wangdue and Punakha districts

Abstract

AbstractThis study seeks to understand the transition of youthful rural migrants to urban areas of Bhutan. The goal is to help frame better policy guidelines and efficient intervention strategies. A majority of these migrants are school dropouts with socio‐economic problems who primarily left in search of a better life, despite having arable land to farm back in their home villages. Their urban earnings failed to cover their daily household expenses and other needs, thus affecting the kind and quality of life in an urban setting. Not enough support for migrant youth exists during such critical and vulnerable transition stages when they face the huge responsibilities of independent living early on in their lives. The future for these young migrants remains bleak in the absence of a clear‐cut protective social support and an efficient intervention system.