This two-year project was interested in people moving into, out of, and choosing to remain in, rural areas. Rural communities are changing. They are home to people originating from urban and rural areas. Some are experiencing demographic ageing at a higher rate than the UK’s population as a whole. In some places this is due to in-migration of middle-aged and older people. Individuals are living longer  than before and many remain healthy and active well into old age.

A key question for the study was - What might these population trends mean for the future of rural areas? The collaborative research project sought to investigate the possible effects of population change in rural communities in Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland. The findings will inform policy-makers and relevant  agencies about the future of rural communities.
Specific questions addressed in the project include:

At what age do people move into rural areas?
Why do people move into or away from rural areas?
What are the experiences of people in different age groups living in rural areas?
Will people currently living in rural areas continue to do so as they grow old?
What are the consequences (good and bad) of population change for rural areas?
 

Summary findings from each of the three study areas will be available –
25th February 2011 - Summary of Research Findings: Glens of Antrim
31st March 2011 - Summary of Research Findings: Radnorshire
29th April 2011 - Summary of Research Findings: Isle of Bute
 

For further information about the project and its authors, and to download any of these findings papers
please visit our website:
 

http://www.qub.ac.uk/research-centres/RuralMigration