지방출신 청년들은 왜 대도시로 가는가? 청년패널을 활용한 대도시 취업에 영향을 미치는 요인에 관한 연구

초록

The concentration of young people in large cities in Korea, particularly in the Seoul metropolitan area, has been an ongoing issue, raising concerns about sustainable urban development. While numerous studies have proposed policy measures to address this trend, a significant gap remains in understanding the specific factors driving young adults from smaller cities to migrate to these large urban centers. This study aims to bridge this gap by examining the motivations behind such movements. It focuses on individuals who grew up in non-metropolitan areas and local cities around the age of 14. We use data from the Youth Panel (YP2007) and employ a binary logit model to analyze the characteristics of young people who relocated to large cities for employment purposes. Our analysis reveals that the primary drivers for this migration are educational and economic factors. Additionally, local variables, such as the population density of the region during adolescence and parental characteristics, significantly influence the decision of young people to move from smaller to larger cities. Based on these findings, the study suggests that a combination of educational and employment policies is crucial to address this issue. Specifically, enhancing educational infrastructure and creating more job opportunities in local cities could mitigate the need for young adults to move to larger urban centers. It is essential to continue research on youth migration at the individual level to understand the evolving preferences of the current generation, known as MZ (Millennials and Generation Z). The preferences and priorities of MZ young adults differ from those of older generations, necessitating policies tailored to their unique needs and aspirations. Through policies based on empirical evidence derived from the preferences of today’s youth, policymakers can more effectively address the root causes of urban migration and promote sustainable development across all regions.

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