Did the pandemic bring new features to counter-urbanisation? Evidence from Estonia. (January 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tammaru, Tiit; Kliimask, Jaak; Kalm, Kadi; Zālīte, Jānis
• Is Part Of: Journal of rural studies. Volume 97(2023)
• Page Start: 345
• Page End: 355
• Publication Date: 2023-01
• Subjects: Urbanisation -- Counter-urbanisation -- Pandemic -- Families -- Occupations -- Estonia; Sociology, Rural -- Periodicals; Country life -- Periodicals; Rural development -- Periodicals; Land use, Rural -- Planning -- Periodicals; Rural conditions -- Periodicals; Sociologie rurale -- Périodiques; Vie rurale -- Périodiques; Développement rural -- Périodiques; Sol, Utilisation agricole du -- Planification -- Périodiques; Conditions rurales -- Périodiques; Country life; Land use, Rural -- Planning; Rural conditions; Rural development; Sociology, Rural; Periodicals; 307.72
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jrurstud.2022.12.012
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0743-0167

Abstract

Abstract: This paper aims to shed new light on changes in counter-urbanisation over the past three decades. A specific focus will be placed on new features of domestic migration to non-metropolitan rural areas which have become apparent during the global coronavirus pandemic. We focus on the intensity, origins, and destinations of counter-urban moves, and on the individual characteristics of counter-urban movers. Based on a case study of Estonia, our main findings show, firstly, that urbanisation has been the predominant migration trend across the past thirty years, with the main destination of domestic migrants being the capital city and its urban region. Secondly, we find that counter-urban moves have gained importance over time and especially during the periods of economic bust. The most important new features of counter-urbanisation during the pandemic relate to the increased migration of families with children and people who have high-income occupations to non-metropolitan rural areas. These new features of domestic migration could serve to slow down or even reverse the long-term problem of population aging in the countryside and the loss of educated people there. Highlights: Analysis of counter-urbanisation between over the past three decades. New features of counter-urban moves. Pandemic has reinforced many long-term trends in counter-urban moves. Counter-urban moves of families improve the demographic profile of rural areas. Counter-urban moves of higher-income earners improve the social profile of rural areas.