Suchergebnisse

Rural poverty presents an escalating problem for post-communist countries struggling with perpetual transition towards market economy. As a country deriving from such economic background, Republic of Macedonia is classified as one of the poorest countries in Europe. The rural population in the country is faced with different obstacles such as: limited access to institutions, infrastructure, finances, and other aspects which not only impede these population's living conditions but also obstruct the development and growth of the rural areas. In order to provide detailed description of the rural poverty situation as well as to identify the vulnerable and depraved group in the rural areas in the Republic of Macedonia, this paper represents an initial record of the poverty conditions in the rural areas. The poverty features are presented through the multidimensional poverty analytical tool and the indicators and dimensions of poverty on micro and macro (country) level in order to describe the socio-economic, environmental, political and institutional context. The comprehensive multi-dimensional analysis of the poverty dimensions in the Republic of Macedonia gives overview of the rural poverty situation and highlights several groups, suffering from multiple deprivations such as rural woman and agriculture households, which are part of an extremely vulnerable group, with the highest risk of going under the poverty base lines.

Rural youth are influenced by a wide range of uncertainties regarding their personal and professional development. Rural youth and in particular rural NEETs (Not in Employment, Education or Training) are especially vulnerable and face higher risks of labour market, social and economic exclusion. This paper aims to analyse the determinants of the dynamics of rural NEETs in three post-transitional countries (Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia and Serbia) compared to the EU-28 average and to Ireland as an example of an established EU member state with over 50% of its population living in rural areas that can act as a benchmark for effective policy implementation to address challenges of marginalized youth, during the 2009-2019 period. The dynamics of rural NEET status and the efficiency/adaptability of regional development policies are revealed through analysis of macro and socioeconomic factors as well as specific employment-related indicators disaggregated by gender and degree of urbanisation. The comparative analysis indicates deficiencies in regional development policies among post-transitional countries and the potential to adapt modern European practices and policies for improving the rural NEETs' position.