Between Tradition and Innovation: An Analysis of Development Perspectives Among Rural Youth in Chile’s Tarapaca Region
Maria Laura Navarrete
Investigator, Universidad SEK, Iquique, Chile
ABSTRACT:
This study investigates the socioeconomic conditions of rural youth in Chile’s Tarapacá Region, examining the challenges they face in development, entrepreneurship, and innovation. The research adopts a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative analysis of data from the 2017 CASEN Survey and the 2022 National Employment Survey with qualitative research based on semi-structured interviews with rural youth and development institutions. Findings reveal that rural youth experience a high rate of multidimensional poverty (54%), substantially exceeding the national average (21%), alongside pronounced gender disparities in income and workforce participation. The study identifies significant economic diversification, with agriculture accounting for only 30% of rural youth employment, though marked by high labor informality (39%). A key finding highlights the misalignment between existing development policies and rural youth realities, particularly regarding cultural relevance for the Aymara population. While young people demonstrate strong commitment to their cultural identity and territory, they encounter substantial barriers in accessing productive resources, technology, and basic services. The study concludes that effective rural youth development requires an integrated approach combining cultural relevance, meaningful participation, and institutional coordination. Policy recommendations include establishing culturally adapted development programs, enhancing rural infrastructure, and implementing mechanisms for youth participation in territorial development decisions.
Published in: International Journal of Recent Advances in Multidisciplinary Topics (Volume 5, Issue 11, November 2024)
Page(s): 30-38
Date of Publication: 11/11/2024
Publisher: IJRAMT
Cite as: Maria Laura Navarrete, “Between Tradition and Innovation: An Analysis of Development Perspectives Among Rural Youth in Chile’s Tarapaca Region,” in International Journal of Recent Advances in Multidisciplinary Topics, vol. 5, no. 11, pp. 30-38, November 2024.