Is youth out migration problematic for Scotland's islands?
Youth out migration has long been construed as a significant problem for Scotland's islands. In common with other islands across the world, the ‘brain drain’ of young people is understood to put significant strain on the population and economic sustainability of island communities. Declining population levels, and / or demographic imbalances create risks for longer term sustainability. More specifically, it is understood that shrinking working age populations pose a threat to being able to support an ageing population, and low levels of human capital, especially young people with higher level skills, creates limitations on economic sustainability and growth. In this paper I critically analyse the existing evidence from the Scottish islands and further afield, to ultimately question the assumption that youth out migration is necessarily problematic for Scotland's islands. Exploring a range of alternative propositions, the paper indicates novel ways of thinking about youth out migration from Scotland's islands that could inform policy and practice in this area and more effectively support island populations and economic growth.
Scottish Affairs, Volume 34, Issue 3