Beyond decentralization: the evolution of population distribution in England and Wales, 1961–1981

Abstract

Using preliminary figures from the U.K. 1981 Census, this paper details recent population shifts at a variety of areal scales in England and Wales. It compares trends in the 1971–1981 period with those in the previous decade and assesses the relative contributions of net migration and natural change. Within its broad descriptive objectives, the paper considers whether England and Wales has kept abreast of patterns of counter-urbanization that have been claimed for other industrialized nations. It is argued that terms like “decentralization”, “deconcentration” and “counter-urbanization” have been used loosely in the literature and some rigorous definitions are proposed. The conclusion is drawn that even if the postulated international continuum of changes ranging from urbanization through to counter-urbanization is valid, the limited geographical size of England and Wales will preclude this country from reaching the final stages of such a model. Finally, some policy implications which stem from the recent population redistributions are introduced and some themes for future research are considered.