The Role of Perception of Leisure and Self-Development Opportunities in the Migration Attitudes Structure of Young People in Small and Large Cities (the Cases from the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug)

This study examines the multifaceted phenomenon of youth migration from both small and large towns in the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Area, with a focus on how perceptions of leisure opportunities and personal development influence migration attitudes. The empirical basis for this research consists of 169 interviews and focus group discussions with young residents and experts from the region, conducted during an expedition as part of the "Rediscovering Russia" project in September 2023. The study specifically looks at four small towns (Salekhard, Nadym, Tarko-Sale, and Gubkinsky) and two larger cities (Novy Urengoy and Noyabrsk), totaling four case studies. Throughout the research, we explored the varying significance of factors such as self-development opportunities, volunteering, personal initiatives’ implementation and spaces in shaping young people's perceptions of their home towns. Youth-oriented spaces under the control of local authorities were closely examined and analyzed. Based on the analysis of interviews and the systematization of the characteristics of youth spaces in specific cities, detailed recommendations have been developed for the Department of Youth Policy in the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous District in order to reduce the outflow of youth from the cities of the region and to develop the trend of return migration of Yamal youth.