Bermigrasi atau Bertahan? Pilihan Generasi Z di Tengah Ekonomi Informal

Abstract

Youth migration is commonly explained as a response to regional differences in employment opportunities and income. However, this perspective provides only a partial explanation of how young people decide whether to migrate or stay when facing uncertainty about their future. This study examines how Generation Z in Sigi Regency, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia, interprets uncertainty about the future and how these interpretations shape their mobility decisions. A qualitative narrative inquiry approach was employed. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, social observation, and secondary sources. Twenty participants were interviewed, and seven information-rich cases were selected for detailed analysis after thematic saturation was reached. Data were analyzed using open, axial, and selective coding. The findings reveal that decisions to migrate or stay are shaped not only by economic considerations but also by how young people perceive opportunities, risks, and possible futures. Three future orientations were identified: Future Mobility Seekers, Future Explorers, and Future Stabilizers. These orientations demonstrate that migration and staying are equally rational strategies for responding to uncertainty within regions dominated by informal employment. The study extends migration research by highlighting how young people's interpretations of the future shape mobility decisions alongside structural economic conditions.