Migration and sustainable development in the European Arctic

The Arctic is undergoing dramatic changes owing to climate change and globalization. Both factors make the Arctic more accessible than before. This increased accessibility has led to an increasing economic interest in the Arctic from the outside – for example, in the fields of tourism and the extractive industries. Often, this outside interest is at odds with traditional Arctic livelihoods. Sustainable development is a major concern for many communities in the Arctic, including in the European High North. Although many Arctic regions suffer from a decline in population, in some places, migration has had a positive impact, in terms of both demographics and economic development. This research, which analyses literature from several disciplines and takes place against the background of current developments in Northern Europe, aims to answer the question of how rural parts of the European High North can benefit from migration in the context of attempts at creating economies based on concepts of sustainability and responsible, long-term development. In doing so, particular attention will also be given to migration-related governance experiences elsewhere in Europe.