Stay or Leave; Migration Challenges of Rural Youth

Nowadays, one of the most important issues facing Iranian villages is the outflow of young population from villages. Thus, this research aimed to examine people’ motives to leave or stay in their home place. The survey method was used in this study. The study population consists of 15-30 years old rural youth of Osku and Hashtrud Districts, East Azerbaijan Province. The sample size was 800, 400 for each district. Young people living in rural areas of Osku and Hashtrud districts were selected through multi-stage cluster sampling method. Geographical location, distance from the district, livelihood and population were the criteria considered for the selection of the clusters. The results indicate that social and economic factors such as education, income, employment, marital status, housing, living status, and having migrant people in the family or hometown have an important role in the leaving or staying. Analytical results of this study also show that the quality of life, place dependence, and place identity can contribute to the staying of rural youth.