Majority of Rural Youth Aspire Career Shift from Agriculture, Seek New Job Opportunities
A recently published “State of Rural Youth Employment Report 2024” revealed that between 70 to 85 percent of currently employed rural youth wish to transition to different jobs. The survey covered over 5,000 young adults across 21 states who are either unemployed or underemployed.
Most respondents showed interest in setting up small businesses in manufacturing, retail or trading sectors. Alternatively, they sought salaried positions in public and private organizations. While 90 percent of male participants and half the females required startup capital, just 10 percent needed full training.
Interestingly, the report indicated that the majority did not view farming and self-employment in villages as aspirational careers currently. Around 70 percent blamed low productivity and insufficient earnings for it. They demanded better technical support, crop diversification support, and affordable farming inputs to make agriculture more remunerative.
On a positive note, over 60 percent males and 70 percent females preferred finding work within or nearby their hometowns for 20-30 percent lower pay. This highlights the need to significantly expand suitable employment in and around rural localities.
In summary, though agriculture and self-employment were traditional sources of rural livelihood, young people now seek more lucrative alternatives due to farming's current unprofitable state. Creating sustainable job opportunities at scale is crucial to fulfill their career aspirations locally.
