African Journal of
Agricultural Research

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Agric. Res.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1991-637X
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJAR
  • Start Year: 2006
  • Published Articles: 6863

Review

Rural labour market developments in the Republic of Macedonia

   Verica Janeska1 and Štefan Bojnec2*
1Institute of Economics, University “Ss. Cyril and Methodius”, Skopje, Republic of Macedonia. 2Faculty of Management, University of Primorska, Koper, Slovenia.  
Email: [email protected], [email protected]

  •  Accepted: 05 June 2012
  •  Published: 21 August 2012

Abstract

The significant changes in the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of human resources in rural Macedonia can be explained by the continued tendency of emigration from villages to urban areas and abroad. The intensity of emigration has altered the demographic structure and reproductive base of the rural population, along with the income of rural households. The rural and agricultural labour market faces a mismatch with respect to the unfavourable age, education and spatial distribution of the total labour force. A reduction in the participation of women in the agricultural labour force is a new feature. The overall transformation is apparent in the income structure of rural households. An increase of the share of households with mixed income sources notably stems from households that receive remittances and foreign currency funds from family members abroad. The demographic revitalization of rural areas depends on economic revitalization, with a more rational use of the labour force and human resources, as well as, restructuring of agricultural production and agricultural holdings. In addition, improvements are necessary in the functioning of market institutions to better meet the needs of smaller farmers and the rural economy.

 

Key words: Rural labour market, agricultural transformation, rural households, emigration process, rural economy business management.