Why Does Rural Demography Still Matter?

Abstract

Over the course of human history, rural places have been viewed as population reserves for urbanization and industrialization. Rurality was often synonymous with backwardness, and modernization in many countries was conceptualized and understood as a shrinking rural population accompanied by an increasing urban population. Concurrently, policy measures more often promoted urban expansion to the neglect of rural development, and in some cases rural areas were deliberately left undeveloped. The dominant perception of rurality stems from a dichotomous view of what is urban and what is rural, subsequently assuming rural areas are homogeneous. However, this collection of research disputes such overly simplistic views and incomplete policies. Rural areas are increasingly diverse in economic structure, and the presence of certain amenities, historical development patterns, and cultural conditions prompt a reevaluation of rurality. Throughout the international context, contemporary rural areas are confronting several challenges, including managing natural resources, addressing the local impacts of the global economy, and reconceptualizing what “rural” means in a rapidly changing world. Rural demography has much to contribute to understanding the continued evolution of rural populations and places into the 21st century.KeywordsRural PopulationRural ResidentDemographic TrendDemographic ResearchRural PlaceThese keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.