In 2023 the Institute of Agriculture - Skopje implemented the project Study for the socioeconomic condition among young people in rural areas in Macedonia, financed by the integrative funds of Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje.
The exodus of the young population migrating from the rural areas to the cities represents a challenge for the sustainable development of the rural communities. This trend is causing an aging population and decline in natural growth. Socioeconomic inequality in these areas increases social insecurity and social exclusion of the young people. This problem has not been sufficiently researched in Macedonia and there are limited data and analyses about it. Hence, the aim of this study is to investigate the socioeconomic condition of the young people in the rural areas by identifying their needs and problems. This will lead to formulation of supported and adapted policies, appropriate to their real needs and improving their socioeconomic condition.
Primary and secondary sources of data were used to achieve the objectives of this research. The primary data was collected by conducting a survey of 550 young people in rural areas aged 18 to 40 during 2023 in all planning regions of Macedonia. To conduct the survey, a comprehensive survey questionnaire containing 50 questions was developed, with the aim of providing relevant data on the socio-economic situation of young people in rural areas. The survey questionnaire includes questions that are the basis for conducting the PESTEL analysis, i.e. questions that cover: political, economic, social, technological, environmental and legal aspects, as an instrument for analyzing the macroeconomic factors that affect the environment in which young people live in rural areas and for the development of strategies and interventions for their improvement and support. Descriptive statistics methods were used to determine the basic characteristics of the sample, while the binary (dichotomous) logistic regression model was used to determine the general factors influencing the migration process of rural youth.
In general, the results of the research show that young people are generally dissatisfied with the quality of life in rural areas. Satisfaction is highest for family support and health status, while it is lowest for economic status and corruption. As for rural services, satisfaction is higher for the existence of religious facilities and the Internet, but lower for infrastructure and services such as education and culture. In terms of employment, the employment rate in the sample is 62%, and the unemployment rate is 38%. Differences were observed in certain segments in the sample, according to the type of household, whether it is agricultural or non-agricultural, gender, marital status, education and place of residence. Namely, Non-agricultural households, men, persons with higher education and those living in urban areas have a lower unemployment rate compared to their counter-indicators. Data from the migration survey show that 72% of young respondents do not plan to leave their rural areas, which is a high percentage, unexpectedly compared to their dissatisfaction with living conditions. Respondents who plan to migrate would most often do so abroad (71%). Respondents who plan to leave rural areas as the main reason cite dissatisfaction with the entire system of the state (31%), as well as the inability to earn enough income to support the family (20%), the politicization of institutions (19%), the inability to found suitable employment (10%), preferences for living in urban areas (8%) and others. The creation of policies to improve the socio-economic condition of young people from rural areas is a complex and multidimensional process, incorporating different aspects of young people's lives.
Proposed measures to improve the socio-economic condition of young people in rural areas include a territorial-sensitive approach, economic stimulation, fight against corruption, improvement of the fair judicial system, support in agriculture and diversification of the rural economy, investments in education and employment, improvement of services in rural environments, and active participation of young people in decision-making. These measures are aimed at creating a better environment for living and working, with the aim of keeping young people in the country.
Principal investigator: Dr. Marija Gjosheva-Kovachevich, research associate
Dr. Lazo Dimitrov, research associate
Dr. Dushko Nedelkovski, associate professor
Katerina Bandzo Oreshkovikj, PhD, Senior Research Associate
Dr. Milena Taseska-Gjorgjijevski, senior research associate
Dr. Hristina Poposka, senior research associate
Dr. Ana Selamovska, full professor
Dr. Biljana Drvoshanova, research associate
Despina Popovska Stojanov, MSc, research assistant
Brankica Spaseva, MSc, research assistant
Ivo Mitrushev, MSc., research assistant
