인구감소지역의 지속 가능성을 위한 청년정책 방향 - 경남 합천군을 중심으로 -

초록

This study aims to explore strategic directions for youth policy to ensure the sustainability of regions facing population decline, a critical issue in South Korea. For this purpose, Hapcheon-gun, a representative area experiencing severe population decline and youth outflow, was selected for an in-depth case study. By utilizing data from this study’s survey of young people in Hapcheon-gun and Focus Group Interviews (FGI), the policy demands of local youth were analyzed. The research findings indicate that the core reasons for youth outflow are not merely a quantitative lack of jobs but a combination of economic factors, such as a deficiency in ‘quality jobs’ and ‘diversity’ in non-agricultural sectors, and quality-of-life factors, including a lack of ‘stable housing’, ‘hub spaces for culture and exchange’, and ‘integrated policy information’. In contrast, existing policies were heavily focused on supporting young farmers or limited to short-term cash support, failing to build the comprehensive life ecosystem that young people desire. Based on this analysis, this study proposes a new paradigm for youth policy in population decline areas, presenting three strategic directions. First, fostering a job ecosystem centered on ‘job quality’ and ‘diversity’, moving beyond an agriculture-centric focus. Second, establishing an integrated settlement environment as a ‘place to live’, transcending fragmented support. Third, establishing youth-led governance and innovating the policy delivery system to ensure policy effectiveness. This study emphasizes that for regional sustainability, youth policy must evolve to create an integrated ecosystem encompassing jobs, housing, culture, and community. The policy implications derived from the Hapcheon-gun case offer a universal model applicable to other regions facing similar crises.1)

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