Regulation of rural labor migration: the need for systemic modernization

The relevance of the topic is determined by the outflow of the rural population, primarily youth of working age, which leads to a labor shortage in the agricultural sector, imbalance in the distribution of labor resources, and demographic aging of rural areas. The objective is to analyze the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of internal and external migration of rural residents, identify economic and infrastructural factors that increase migration flows, and assess their consequences for employment and the stability of rural jobs. The study uses official data from the Bureau of National Statistics of the Agency for Strategic Planning and Reforms of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Methods include statistical data processing and generalization of scientific literature to study absolute and relative indicators of rural population migration, analysis of state programs “Auyl Amanaty” and “100 jobs per 10 thousand population,” aimed at increasing employment in rural regions and their attractiveness through support of microbusiness and strengthening of social infrastructure, as well as examination of international experience of ASEAN and OECD countries, confirming the importance of a comprehensive and interdepartmental approach to regulating labor migration. The results demonstrate the impact of migration processes on the labor market of rural areas of Kazakhstan for 2020–2024. A stable trend of reduction in the number of employed rural residents and an increase in interregional imbalance in their movement has been identified. The obtained data confirm the need for systemic modernization of public administration mechanisms in the context of demographic mobility and economic activity, focused on long-term balanced rural development. Conclusions emphasize the importance of a systemic and integrated approach to migration policy in the republic. It is important to stimulate the process of return migration of residents to rural areas. For this purpose, it is necessary to create jobs, opportunities for career growth, and conditions for earning higher income

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