Rural Scotland - Trajectories of Young People and Young Adults: Report

Rural youth outmigration, retention and attraction have received increased policy attention in the context of an ageing population and concern about youth outmigration from some rural and island areas.

This report aims to:

• Provide an overview of recent migration patterns of young people and adults aged 16 to 45 years in rural and island areas in Scotland drawing on existing data.
• Offer insights on the experiences of and attitudes to migration /mobility in the lives of these age based on a review of peer reviewed and grey literature and a workshop with the Young Islanders’ Network.
• Identify key messages and learning points for research and policy development.

While most previous research focuses on the mobility of young people at the post-school and tertiary stage (16-24) in rural areas, this report examines migration and mobility through a life course lens in relation to young people and adults aged 16-45 years. Mobilities are best understood as dynamic combinations of aspirations, intentions and decisions taken over the lifetime. The age range in this report captures key milestones/transitions in relation to three life course stages: the post-school, tertiary education/training, and post-tertiary stages respectively.