Fostering sustainable rural livelihoods in the age of migration

Due to growing urban-rural inequalities and disadvantages in the labor market, rural regions are more affected than ever by migration. Attachment to rural areas ('place attachment') and high quality of life are crucial for maintaining sustainable rural livelihoods and the availability of a skilled workforce within and outside the agricultural sector. In its work, the research area, therefore, focuses on the one hand on the measurement of quality of life and rural welfare in rural areas. On the other hand, the decision-making behavior of rural households concerning employment, migration, and investment and consumption behavior is analyzed. Furthermore, the impact of governmental and private initiatives on the rural population's income, economic participation and quality of life is investigated.