PREMIUM_EU researchers Leo van Wissen and Becky Arnold (NIDI) have published a new article examining how migration reshapes demographic inequalities between Europe’s cities and rural regions. The study, Reducing urban–rural population inequalities: The divergent roles of internal and international migration, shows how population decline in many non-metropolitan areas is increasingly driven not by natural decrease, but by the uneven effects of migration flows.
The article has been selected for publication in the Vienna Yearbook of Population Research 2025, a leading journal on demographic trends and population studies.
Key insights from the study
The research highlights how demographic change in Europe is no longer primarily driven by natural population growth. Instead, migration flows, both internal and international, are the decisive factor shaping whether regions grow or shrink.
- Metropolitan growth vs. rural decline: While most large metropolitan areas in Europe continue to grow, often due to positive net migration, many rural and non-metropolitan regions face persistent decline.
- The migration divide: Internal migration follows the familiar pattern of people moving from rural to urban areas, reinforcing demographic inequalities. By contrast, international migration shows a more balanced distribution across urban, intermediate, and rural regions.
- A potential lifeline for rural areas: Strikingly, 74% of Europe’s declining regions still recorded positive net migration during 2015–2020, but often not enough to offset negative natural growth. This suggests that international migration could play a critical role in revitalising “left-behind” regions if supported by the right policies.
- Policy relevance: The findings underline that international migration is not just an urban phenomenon. With targeted strategies, it can help reduce spatial inequalities and support the liveability of rural and intermediate regions.
Why it matters
The article offers fresh evidence for policymakers grappling with regional disparities in Europe. It shows that while rural depopulation is a reality across the continent, international migration provides opportunities to counterbalance demographic decline. At the same time, it calls for deeper research into why international migrants choose certain regions and what factors might help rural areas attract and retain them.
About the Vienna Yearbook of Population Research
The Vienna Yearbook of Population Research is an annual peer-reviewed journal published by the Vienna Institute of Demography of the Austrian Academy of Sciences. It provides a platform for cutting-edge research in demography and population studies, with a strong focus on European and global challenges. Being featured in this journal highlights the scientific and policy relevance of PREMIUM_EU’s work.
