Depopulation of Rural Areas: Social, Economic, and Environmental Issues

Dear Colleagues,

Depopulation is one of the main problems plaguing rural areas. The United Nations estimate that the population living in rural areas will decrease from the current 45% to 30% in 2050. In the EU, only one fifth of the population live in rural areas. Moreover, this type of area has experienced an annual rate of decline in inhabitants of 0.1% between 2015 and 2021. In the United States, between 2010 to 2020, 73% of rural counties experienced a population loss of more than 5%. China's rural population in 2020 is 28% lower than in 2000.

Rural depopulation induces many negative effects on the economic, social, and environmental balance of rural areas. From an economic perspective, the production capacity tends to shrink and, consequently, the abilities of rural areas to generate income, to promote trade flows, and to attract investment are reduced. The tax revenues of these territories decrease, while the average costs per inhabitant of public services, such as the construction and management of local infrastructure, increase (OECD, 2021). Emigration from rural areas affects the solidity of families and weakens social ties in the community.  Population loss increases the likelihood of environmental degradation, the risk of fires, and the disappearance of local agricultural and livestock production.

This Special Issue intends to collect papers examining the multiple aspects that, on an economic, social, and environmental level, characterise the issue of rural depopulation. Interest will be reserved for papers that, with reference to rural areas, address issues such as poverty, social structure, rural–urban relationship, technological innovation, costs and benefits of public services, economics of farms, institutional and land management problems, and policy measures. Papers addressing general topics as well as analyses of case studies will also be appreciated.

Prof. Dr. Roberto Furesi
Dr. Fabio A. Madau
Guest Editors

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• depopulation
• rural development
• rural demography
• territorial and local policies
• rural–urban relationship