Statistical Databases

도시와 창조계급 Cities and the Creative Class

Why some rural areas decline while some others not: an overview of rural evolution in the world.

One commonly observed phenomena about taxation in Africa are regional differences and the fact that southern African countries have higher levels of shares of taxation in GDP. This article argues that the major source of differences in ‘tax effort’ is the colonial histories of various countries. Using standard measures of ‘tax effort in a panel data framework and dividing colonial Africa along forms of incorporation into the colonial system, it shows that African countries and others with similar colonial histories have higher levels of ‘tax effort’. However, the difference disappears when we control for the colonial factor. These results hold under different model specifications.

On Tax Efforts and Colonial Heritage in Africa

This paper seeks to (re)invigorate those engaged with or thinking of engaging with counterurbanisation research in the light of a feeling that the topic has become somewhat academically stagnant, and consequently too easily recuperated by strong popular culture stereotypes, not least that of the sophisticated middle-class urbanite moving themselves and their family to start a ‘new life’ in what is perceived to be an idyllic rural setting. The paper argues, firstly, that even if we accept temporarily some understanding of counterurbanisation that is close to such portrayals, there is still much to find out and appreciate concerning the significance of the moves, both for those involved and for society and culture more generally. Secondly, though, and especially when acknowledging more fully an international migration dimension to counterurbanisation, the paper exposes this understanding as being far too narrow and easily stereotyped. In response to this perceived partiality, the paper proposes a general model, with counterurbanisation as a flexible three-dimensional category, capable of embracing a broader range of people and experiences than is typically the case. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

To revitalise counterurbanisation research? Recognising an international and fuller picture

Rural depopulation is a concern in many countries, and various policy initiatives have been taken to combat such trends. This article examines whether hidden potential for rural population growth can be found in Sweden. If such potential exists, it implies that the development prospects for many rural areas are not as unpromising as they may seem today. If not, rapid rural depopulation can be expected and policymakers will have to increase their focus on how to lessen problems associated with population decline. We employ a combination of survey data and register data to identify the characteristics of people who have expressed a desire to move to rural areas and compare this population with those who actually do move to these areas. The results show that more people have rural residential preferences than the actual number of migrants to rural areas suggest. The findings indicate that there is a general potential for rural population growth; however, the characteristics of these two groups are similar and we cannot discern any group as constituting this hidden potential. Nonetheless, we argue that this potential is unlikely to be realized in terms of rural population growth and we discuss the further implications of these findings.

Is There Hidden Potential for Rural Population Growth in Sweden

The last decades have seen a rapidly growing interest in foresight methodology. Methods have been developed in corporate and governmental communication exercises often labelled technology foresight. In reality, these foresights have often drifted into processes of social change, since technological change is hard to foresee beyond what is already in the pipe-line. Forecasting of social change, however, must be based on solid knowledge about the mechanisms of continuity and change. Virtually nothing can be said about the future without relating to the past; foresights and futures studies are about revealing the hidden pulse of history. Hence, the answer to forecasting the future is empirical research within the social sciences. Demographic change has been recognised as a key determinant for explaining social change. Population changes are fairly predictable and the age transition can explain a wide range of socio-economic changes. For rural futures, demographic change is a key issue, since age structure in rural areas is often uneven and also unstable due to migration patterns. A number of policy related questions as well as research challenges are raised as a consequence.

Understanding rural change - demography as a key to the future

Understanding rural change—demography as a key to the future

Though estimating rural population change at first glance seems simple, it in fact involves methodological difficulties and requires the accommodation of definitional ambiguities. This article addresses the matter of urban spillover in rural population development. Simply stated, "urban spillover" here refers to how urban localities tend to push a ring of diffuse urban growth outwards as they expand in area. If constant delimitations of urban localities and rural areas are employed, their definitions will de facto change, and what is actually diffuse urban growth will be treated as rural. If the spatial areas used are constructed from predefined areas (e.g. census enumeration areas), the effect of arbitrary geographical subdivision is added. These effects of urban spillover in different methods of estimating rural population change are illustrated here using Swedish data, which are suitable for this purpose given their high spatial resolution. The data do not support the existence of any actual rural population growth in Sweden in the 1990s, apart from the effects of urban spillover. We also show that urban spillover varies geographically depending on the measurement method used.

Rural Population Growth in Sweden in the 1990s: Unexpected Reality or Spatial-Statistical Chimera

Rural Population Growth in Sweden in the 1990s – Unexpected Reality or Spatial-Statistical Chimera

Jan Amcoff

Papers

Is There Hidden Potential for Rural Population Growth in Sweden

Understanding rural change - demography as a key to the future

Understanding rural change—demography as a key to the future

Rural Population Growth in Sweden in the 1990s: Unexpected Reality or Spatial-Statistical Chimera

Rural population growth in Sweden in the 1990s: unexpected reality or spatial–statistical chimera?