Development of youth migration: theoretical concepts and implemented models
DOI: 10.22394/2071-2367-2025-20-2-38-56 EDN EHAPZI
Keywords:
youth migration, migration factors, neo-institutional theories of migration, structural theories of migration, “social networks” of migration, migration culture, digital nomads, interdisciplinary approach to the study of migrationAbstract
The aim of the article is to identify the most popular theoretical approaches currently used to study migration processes and affecting the target audience aged 15 to 24. The author has structured: neo-institutional (including the theory of the new economy of labor migration and the “push theory”), structural, interdisciplinary (including transculturalism, the theory of the “life course” and the theory of social networks) approaches, as well as relatively new promising areas presented in the form of concepts (migration of “digital
nomads”).
The results of the study. The advantages and limitations of various explanatory models interpreting the factors and patterns of youth migration development are outlined. The most common methodological approaches to the study of targeted movements of the young population are classified. The article systematizes the factors that can be used to classify foreign studies of youth migration depending on the subject of study and methodological approach. The necessity of developing an integrated approach is substantiated, which can take into account both economic and socio-political factors contributing to youth migration, and also allows assessing the effects of an increase/decrease in the migration flow in these areas. It is concluded that it is important to predict the main trends of youth migration in the current situation of increasing international conflict. It is proposed to use machine learning and agent-based modeling methods to predict migration scenarios for the considered population category. The development of an integrated approach aimed at identifying the interrelationships between variables significant for youth migration at the micro, meso, and macro levels is noted as the most promising area of research. The results of the work can be used to supplement ideas about the patterns of youth migration development, as well as to improve the system of monitoring migration processes among young people in the study of youth migration in Russian political science.
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Ådnanes, M. (2007) Social transitions and anomie among post-communist Bulgari-an youth. Young. no.15. P. 49-69. DOI:10.1177/1103308807072684.
Almenara-Niebla, S., Ascanio-Sanchez, C. (2020) Connected Sahrawi refugee dias-pora in Spain: Gender, social media and digital transnational gossip. European Journal of Cultural Studies. Vol.23, P. 768 - 783. DOI: 10.1177/1367549419869357
Aroles, J., Bonneau, C., Bhankaraully, S. (2022) Conceptualising ‘Meta-Work’ in the Context of Continuous, Global Mobility: The Case of Digital Nomadism. Work, Employ-ment and Society. no.37. P. 1261-1278. DOI:10.1177/09500170211069797.
Azaola, M. C. (2015) Becoming a migrant: aspirations of youths during their transi-tion to adulthood in rural Mexico. Journal of Youth Studies. no.15(7), p. 875-889. DOI: 10.1080/13676261.2012.677813.
Bircan, T., (et all) (2021) Gaps in Migration Research. Review of migration theories and the quality and compatibility of migration data on the national and international level. (Deliverable n°2.1). Leuven: HumMingBird project 870661 – H2020. 104 p. DOI:10.20378/irb-49928.
Collins, F.L. (2018) Keeping Bodies Moving: Hope, Disruption and the Possibilities of Youth Migration. Journal of Intercultural Studies. no.39, p. 626 - 641. DOI:10.1080/07256868.2018.1533536.
Cook, D. (2023) What is a digital nomad? Definition and taxonomy in the era of mainstream remote work. World Leisure Journal. no.6, p. 256-275. DOI:10.1080/16078055.2023.2190608.
Docquier, F., Marchiori L. (2012) The impact of MENA-to-EU migration in the con-text of demographic change. - Journal of Pension Economics and Finance. no. 11, p. 243-284. DOI:10.1017/S147474721100028X.
Duane, F. (2012) Integrating Varieties of Life Course Concepts. The journals of ger-ontology. Series B, Psychological sciences and social sciences. no. 67, p. 206-220. DOI:10.1093/geronb/gbr146.
Fassmann, H., Gruber E. and Nemeth A. (2018) Conceptual framework for the study of youth migration in the Danube region. - YOUMIG Working Papers. no.1, 106 p. URL:https://www.infostat.sk/web2015/sk/images/infostat/projekty/YOUMIG/Vystupy_a_dokumenty/YOUMIG_Working_Paper_No.1.pdf (дата обращения - 20.01.2025) DOI:10.13140/RG.2.2.21481.60004.
German, M. and Banerjee, P. (2011) (eds.) Migration, technology and transcul-turation: A global perspective, Missouri: Lindenwood University Press. DOI:10.62608/2158-0669.1034.
Haug, S. (2008) Migration Networks and Migration Decision-Making. Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies. no.34, p. 585-605. DOI: 10.1080/13691830801961605.
Heckert, J. (2015) New Perspective on Youth Migration: Motives and Family In-vestment Patterns. Demographic Research. no. 33. p. 765-800. DOI:10.4054/DemRes.2015.33.27.
Hvozdetska, B., Varha, N., Nikon, N. et al. (2020) Migratory Moods and Tempo-rary Employment of Students of Central and Eastern Europe. Italian Sociological Review,
no.10 (2), p. 305-326. DOI:10.13136/isr.v10i2.342.
King, R. (2012) Geography and migration studies: retrospect and prospect. Pop-ulation, space and place. no.18 (2), p. 134-153. DOI: 10.1002/psp.685
Kooiman, N., Latten J., Bontje M. (2018) Human capital migration: A longitudi-nal perspective. Tijdschrift Voor Economische En Sociale Geografie. Vol. 109. no.5, p. 644-660; DOI:10.1111/tesg.12324.
López, Blanco, J. D. (2025) Do languages open doors? A theoretical model of linguistic capi-tal and (im)mobility and its application in Spanish youth migration. Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies. Vol 51, no.3, p. 565-582. DOI:10.1080/1369183X.2024.2359676.
Manna, K., Fredericks, L. (2015) The New Economics of Labour Migration (NELM): Econometric Analysis of Remittances from Italy to Rural Bangladesh Based on Kinship Relation. International Journal of Migration Research and Development (IJMRD). Vol 1.
p. 1-21. URL: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2616468 (дата обращения - 10.01.2025).
Marchetti, G., Baldassar L., Harris A. and Robertson, S. (2021) Italian youth mo-bility: The case for a Mediterranean model of ‘family-centred’ mobile transitions. Ethnici-ties. Vol. 22. no.1, p. 108-127. DOI:10.1177/14687968211037083.
Massey, D., Arango, J., Hugo, G., Kouaouci, A., Pellegrino, A. and Taylor, J. (1993) Theories of International Migration: A Review and Appraisal. Population and Develop-ment Review. Vol. 19. no.3, p.431-466. DOI:10.2307/2938462.
Nikou, S. and Luukkonen, M. (2023) The push-pull factor model and its implica-tions for the retention of international students in the host country. Higher Education, Skills and Work-Based Learning. Vol14, no.1. P. 76-94. DOI:10.1108/HESWBL-04-2023-0084.
Panagiotopoulou, J. A. and Rosen, L. (2018) Denied inclusion of migration-related multilingualism: an ethnographic approach to a preparatory class for newly ar-rived children in Germany. Language and Education. no.32, p. 394-409. DOI:10.1080/09500782.2018.1489829.
Prinz, A. L. (2019) Migration, Cultural Identity and Diasporas An Identity Eco-nomics Approach. IZA Journal of Development and Migration. Vol.10, no.1, p. 1-20. DOI:10.2478/izajodm-2019-000.
Roudgar, I. and Richards, C. (2015) The policy challenge of the global brain drain: Addressing the dilemmas of contributing push-pull factors. International Journal of Public Policy. Vol. 11, p. 73-85. DOI:10.1504/IJPP.2015.068841.
Serbeh, R. and Prince, O.-W. (2020) Social Networks and the Geographies of Young People’s Migration: Evidence from Independent Child Migration in Ghana. Journal of International Migration and Integration. no.21, p. 221-240. DOI:10.1007/s12134-019-00720-w.
Simões, F. and Jale, T. (2024) Active Labour Market Policies and Youth Em-ployment in European Peripheries. Politics and Governance. no.12. Article 7958. DOI:10.17645/pag.7958.
Pu, T., Huang, C.X. Zhang, H. Yang, J. & Huang M. (2024) Application of deep learning model incorporating domain knowledge in international migration forecasting. Data Technologies and Applications. Vol. 58. no.5, р. 787-806. DOI:10.1108/DTA-08-2023-0523.
Robertson, Z., Wilding, R. & Gifford, S. (2016) Mediating the family imaginary: young people negotiating absence in transnational refugee families. Global Networks-a Journal of Transnational Affairs. no.16, p. 219-236. DOI:10.1111/glob.12111.
Robeyns, I. (2005) The capability approach: A theoretical survey. Journal of Human Development. Vol 6. no.1, p. 93-117. DOI:10.1080/146498805200034266.
Torok, D., Ball J. (2021) Renegotiating Identity and Agency in Everyday Oppres-sion: Experiences of Forced Migrant Youth in Malaysia. Social Sciences. no.10, Article 296. DOI:10.3390/socsci10080296.
Tufiș, P.A., Sandu, D.D. (2023) Motivation in the dynamics of European youth migration. European Societies. no.25, p. 829-858. DOI:10.1080/14616696.2023.2183231
Waldorf, B.S. & Yun S.D. (2016) Labor migration and overeducation among young college graduates. Review of Regional Research. no.36, p. 99-119. DOI:10.1007/s10037-015-0101-0.
Welch N.G. & Raftery A.E. (2022) Probabilistic forecasts of international bilat-eral migration flows. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 119 p. DOI:10.1073/pnas.2203822119.
Williams, A. M., Calvin, J., Hania, J., Gang, Li. (2018) The migration intentions of young adults in Europe: A comparative, multilevel analysis. Population Space and Place. no.24(3), p. 1-26. DOI:10.1002/psp.2123.
Zhang H. (2025) Youth migration culture, youth transition and lifestyle: The case of Polish and Chinese international student migrants in London. Gdańskie Studia Azji Wschodniej. no.1, p. 114-130. DOI: 10.4467/23538724GS.24.023.21052.
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