Intra-Russian educational migration of youth: the attractiveness of regions for pursuing higher education

Introduction. Intra-Russian educational migration among young people is significant due to the necessity for balanced spatial development within the educational system and the need to enhance the appeal of regional universities. The absence of an effective regional educational policy results in an uneven distribution of youth and the emergence of regional disparities in access to higher education.

Aim. The aim of this study is to classify Russian regions based on the patterns of educational migration among young people. This classification seeks to formulate scientifically grounded recommendations for enhancing regional educational policies and managing migration flows effectively.

Methodology and research methods. The study utilised statistical data from Rosstat regarding intra-Russian migration flows of young people from 2019 to 2023, along with the results of the 2020 All-Russian Population Census. The methodology is grounded in the calculation of the migration balance for specific age groups, including applicants aged 17 to 18 years and university graduates aged 20 to 23 years. Additionally, it involves the calculation of the return coefficient to develop a typology of regions categorised as donors, acceptors, transit, balanced, and closed.

Results. Stable regional differences in educational migration have been identified: 45 regions in Russia serve as donors (losing youth), 12 regions are acceptors (attracting applicants), 21 regions maintain a balanced position, 2 regions are classified as transit, and an additional 5 territories exhibit low migration activity (closed). Data for 4 new territories is currently unavailable. Numerical criteria have been proposed, and a typology of Russian regions based on the educational migration of young people has been developed.

Scientific novelty. An innovative methodology for classifying regions based on migration balance and return coefficient has been developed, taking into account the unique characteristics of internal youth migration in Russia to assess regional educational policy effectively.

Practical significance. The results can be utilised by government agencies and universities to modify educational policies, enhance the appeal of various regions, and manage the educational migration patterns of young people.

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