The Level of Education and Cultural Capital as Migration Factors (Based on People Living in the Republic of Bashkortostan)

Abstract

This paper highlights the link between education status and cultural capital, on the one hand, and migration likelihood, on the other hand. The conclusions are based on two surveys of respondents living the Republic of Bashkortostan. The desire to continue one’s education and the dissatisfaction with one’s current education level are among the key factors that drive the local population to change their permanent place of residence. Cultural capital, in turn, is viewed through the prism of skills and knowledge, everyday leisure practices, and values. For instance, the greater a group’s computer and Internet literacy, the higher the share of people who are ready to permanently move to a different place. Those locals who express their readiness to migrate are generally younger; they tend to spend their free time online, acquire self-taught skills, pursue creative hobbies and sports etc. They value life-long learning, independence, initiative, and a desire for change, and plan their future a long way in advance. By contrast, respondents who do not plan to migrate tend to prefer traditional pastimes and practices: gardening, watching television, reading newspapers, going to church or mosque, performing home repairs etc.