Young University Graduates’ Motivations for Living in the Countryside in the Context of Rural Policies in Poland
Young University Graduates’ Motivations for Living in the Countryside in the Context of Rural Policies in Poland

Summary/Abstract: This paper focuses on young adults with a university education (aged 25–34)living in rural areas of Poland. Its aim is to analyse their motivations for doing so, as well asthe implications of such decisions. The issue is of crucial importance in terms of the futureof rural areas in Poland. Current rural policies, although somewhat vague, emphasizethe urgent need of further modernization of agriculture and the creation of more nonagriculturejobs in local labour markets. In order to be successful, rural development shouldbe a community-led process which requires well-skilled and dedicated rural residents. Thepaper is based on qualitative study conducted in ten selected rural municipalities in differentparts of Poland. The analysis show that the young university graduates interviewed weremotivated mostly by social relationships and attachment to the local area, but economicreasons were also important. Also, the types of motivation correlate with the young adults’community engagement.

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