Social and economic changes in rural areas in HICs
Job losses
Several factors have led to a decline in employment in rural areas.
The mechanisation of agriculture means less people are needed to work on the land.
Raw materials which may have been mined are finishing, so mines are closing.
Food and raw materials that are imported from other countries also decrease the
demand from the countryside.
New homes and roads
HICs don’t have appropriate and non expensive homes in rural areas. Related problems,
such as traffic congestion and increased car journeys are created. Pollution elevates.
Competition from other countries
There is now more competition from other countries - for example lamb can be imported
at a competitive price from New Zealand. When agricultural activities don’t provide
money, farms diversify - into providing tourist accommodation, for example. This is
successful in some areas which attract tourists, but is limited in many areas. Tourism is
also very variable in some countries.
Rural depopulation
The less accessible (remote) rural areas have a decreasing population. In these less
accessible rural areas many of the younger population move out. Push factors for the
young people are the shortage of jobs and a lack of social life.
However the rural areas which are accessible to urban areas have an increasing rural
population - one reason is because
of counter urbanisation.
Decline in services
The depopulation in remote areas
means the local services decline.
Independent stores and post offices
become less profitable because of
rural depopulation. Bus services may
decline leaving the elderly cut off.
The changes in rural areas lead to a
cycle of decline.