The future of rural Europe: making migration work for regions in decline

Demographic decline is increasingly shaping the future of many European rural and peripheral regions. Ageing populations, youth outmigration and pressure on services are affecting local economies and communities, making the question of how to retain and attract people to these territories more pressing than ever. 

These issues were discussed at the final conference of the Horizon Europe-funded project PREMIUM_EU, held on 10 March at the European Committee of the Regions in Brussels. The event brought together researchers, policymakers and regional stakeholders to explore how migration and mobility interact with regional development in areas experiencing population decline. 

A central element of the conference was the presentation of the Resilient Regions Policy Dashboard, developed within the project. This tool provides demographic, economic and social indicators to help policymakers explore regional trends and compare territories facing similar demographic challenges. It also includes examples of policy approaches implemented in different regions, offering a practical resource for policymakers looking for strategies to address population decline and strengthen regional resilience. 

Several presentations highlighted that demographic change cannot simply be reversed and must instead be managed through long-term policy responses. One proposed framework was the ‘accept, adapt, act’ approach: recognising demographic change, adapting services and infrastructure to new realities, and implementing targeted policies on migration, housing, labour markets and quality of life. 

Speakers also stressed that regional attractiveness depends on more than economic opportunities. Social cohesion, trust, community engagement and access to services all shape how people perceive rural life and whether they decide to stay in, return to or move to a region. 

Examples given from across Europe illustrated different policy responses. Jordi Solé i Ferrando of the Catalan Association of Municipalities presented the Rural Agenda of Catalonia, a participatory policy process involving local authorities and stakeholders that produced hundreds of proposals aimed at strengthening rural communities and supporting opportunities for people to remain in rural areas. The rural agenda is part of the Catalan regional government’s commitment to the Rural Pact.  

Research presented on Ukrainian displacement in Poland showed that smaller towns can contribute to labour market stabilisation and local integration, although newcomers may face structural challenges such as limited language support and lack of specialised healthcare. At the same time, smaller settlements may offer closer contact with local administrations and communities. 

The conference concluded that improving quality of life in rural regions remains essential to both attracting newcomers and retaining existing residents. Investments in housing, services, employment opportunities and social integration are therefore central to strengthening the resilience of regions facing demographic decline. 

Explore the latest Rural Pact resources on migrants and join the Community Group on migrants and refugees' inclusion in rural areas to connect and exchange with peers.