"Most people don't leave rural areas because they prefer to, but because they have to - however, rural exodus is not inevitable. By combining local knowledge and leadership with strong support from higher levels of government, we can create new opportunities for rural regions," stated co-rapporteur Eke Folkerts (Netherlands, EPP/CCE) presenting the report "Regional Exodus in Europe: addressing the causes and creating new opportunities for rural communities" at the 51st session of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, on Wednesday 28 October 2026.
The report points out that the scale of the challenge is significant. Over the past decade, many rural regions across the continent, mainly in eastern and southern Europe, have recorded population declines exceeding 10%, and in some cases even getting close to 30%. As populations shrink, local economies lose workers and skills, community life weakens and public services become harder to sustain, which creates a vicious circle that will further accelerate depopulation where service levels are found insufficient.
"There is no 'one size fits all' solution, as the problems of a remote mountain hamlet are not those of a commuter village. We need tailored, place-based approaches designed with and by local people, including younger generations", added co-rapporteur Urs Janett (Switzerland, ILDG).
The Congress stressed that key priorities of local and regional authorities must include investing in transport infrastructure and high-speed internet, maintaining and expanding education and vocational training offers, supporting business development and job creation, and ensuring access to affordable housing and other essential services.
National authorities were urged to create favourable frameworks for rural development through specific economic policies based on the assets of rural areas, and by making best use of European funding instruments, including those offered by the Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB).
"We must not forget that equal access to social services for all across national territories, including in urban and rural areas, is an essential matter of social rights and human rights, and will also help maintain people's trust in democratic institutions," concluded Urs Janett. "Our work lays the ground for renewed hope and ambition for rural Europe. Let us give our rural citizens compelling reasons to stay and, for those who left, to return and thrive."
