Work and migration of young people

A study of young people in Estonia reveals that salary levels are the most important ‘quality of work’ indicator for them. This explains why the desire for a good salary is one of the most frequent reasons to work abroad, even when foregoing a ‘better’ job in Estonia.

In 2004, the Estonian Youth Institute and the Department of Sociology in Tallinn Pedagogical University published a study, Estonian youth on the road to the European Union (2.5Mb MS Word file; in Estonian). It examines the current working situation and future plans of young people in Estonia. In addition to outlining their views on education, politics, future expectations and satisfaction with life, the study also points out their work motivations and plans for home and abroad.

To conduct the survey, a random sample of 1,000 people, aged 17-27 years, were interviewed in 2003. The survey was carried out by Research Centre Faktum.

Work situation and attributes

Some 40% of the people surveyed are pupils or students, but many of these combine work with their studies. A quarter work as labourers and 15% are service or office workers, while 18% are not active in the labour market. Young men are workers and professionals more often than young women, who are mostly still in full-time education. However, more women than men are service or office workers.

The most common incentive to work for young people is salary (see Figure).

There are perceptible differences in the preferences of work attributes by gender and age group. Young women value the match between work and skills more, while men attach importance to work management. Of those surveyed, 62% under 20 years consider career opportunities to be important, while those over 20 years place more value on stability and future career development opportunities.

Economic status is defined by income distribution, where one third of young people have a net monthly income of up to 2,000 EEK (€128) and another third have between 2,000 and 5,000 EEK (€320). The fixed rate of exchange is €1 = 15.6466 EEK.

Managerial status does not necessarily mean a relatively high income for young people. Indeed, only a few earn more than 5,000 EEK, whereas students and young people with children have a monthly income of 1,000-5,000 EEK. Young managers and entrepreneurs surveyed reported earning 1,000-3,000 EEK, which is relatively low compared with 80% of students and unemployed people who can spend up to 2,000 EEK each month. The average net monthly wage in 2003 was 5,176 EEK (Estonian Statistical Office) and the national minimum wage was 2,160 EEK.

Migration plans

Some 17% of young people have already worked abroad, often as seasonal workers in Finland, Germany, Russia or the UK. Important considerations when choosing a country are proximity to Estonia, as well as language skills. Going to Finland is not very costly, and Finnish is quite similar to Estonian so relatively easy to learn and understand. In addition, it is possible to earn a higher salary there than in Estonia for the same work. English, German and Russian are usually taught in schools and universities in Estonia.

More than 16% of young people, many of whom are still students, state that they can find work in EU countries as service workers, au-pairs, builders and housekeepers. Working abroad during the next five years is a firm intention for 14%, i.e. 30,000 young people. In all, 56% have some intention of working abroad.

For people who firmly intend to work abroad, the most important motives are good salary (77%), and being able to spend the money in Estonia (45%). Three quarters of those seriously planning to work abroad in the next five years have taken definite steps, such as seeking additional information, to bring their plans to fruition. Travel plans often do not materialise, but proactively seeking information increases the likelihood of working abroad.

Conclusion

To conclude, young people in Estonia are mainly still in full-time education (especially young women), and their monthly income is usually close to the official minimum wage. Thus, a good salary is the most attractive feature of work for them, and this applies when they seek jobs abroad. Some 10.5% of young Estonians have firm intentions of working abroad and have sought information in that regard. However, this is probably the upper estimate for numbers going abroad as opinion surveys usually overestimate the emigration potential.

Reference

Kruusvall, J. and Tomson, L. Eesti noored teel Euroopa Liitu. 17...27-aastaste Eesti noorte eluorientatsioonide, töö- ja õpingukavatsuste ning motivatsiooni uuringu tulemused , TPÜ sotsioloogia osakond, Tallinn, 2004.

Further EU level research is available on the Foundation’s website concerning migration.