News | 09 Jul 2024
Getting to services in towns and villages – new OECD study
A new report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) studies the interaction between geography and access to services to provide key insights for regional development policies and regions facing population decline.
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The study considers three main factors: 1. size of settlements; 2. accessibility – the travel time to access settlements; and 3. availability of public and private services in areas such as health, finance and education. It highlights that:
- Successful service delivery within and across regions can produce societal benefits such as growth in productivity and jobs, not just in regions but for the country as a whole.
- Cities, towns and villages provide access to services and broader economic opportunities.
- Accurate information on the ease of access to different services is fundamental as governments try to balance costs, access and quality in service provision.
Discover the latest Rural Pact resources on access to services in rural areas.