New research has revealed that millions of young people living in the countryside are considering moving to a town or city within the next year, prompting concern from the Countryside Alliance.
The study, commissioned by Virgin Media O2, found that nearly two-thirds of 18-24-year-olds living in rural areas are set to leave within 12 months.
Contrary to what some may assume, this exodus is influenced not by a desire to chase a faster pace of life, but by fundamental challenges that are making life in the countryside unviable for them.
Specifically, a lack of career opportunities, poor access to essential services, such as transportation, limited digital connectivity, and housing issues are cited as the primary factors for driving young people out.
However, many young people do not really want to leave the countryside at all. Research indicates that Gen Zers and Millennials often express deep fondness over their local rural areas and would choose to stay in them were it not for concerns that make them feel as though their ‘hands are tied’.
In reality, many find solace and community in the countryside; access to nature and outdoor activities offer a peaceful respite for a group that is experiencing an alarming increase in mental health problems and loneliness.
Yet, if fundamental changes are not made and prioritisation is not given to rural areas, this mass outflow is bound to spiral into a rural ‘brain-drain’ – where talented young people flock to cities along the likes of London, Edinburgh, and Manchester while leaving their rural communities worse off.
To call this a risk is an understatement - the rural economy employs some 3.6 million people across the UK and adds billions to the British economy via tourism, agriculture, forestry, and other key industries.
Young people are not to be underestimated in this output – not only because of the sheer number of them employed within local economies, but because of their innovation, energy, and consumerism which, in turn, influences further investment into rural areas.
Moreover, young people are vital to the fabric of these communities – they bind families together and are a living reminder of the future of rural life.
But as ambitious people, the practicalities of rural life are becoming too limiting. For example, despite remote and hybrid work being increasingly commonplace, many rural residents are unable to take advantage of these opportunities. According to the Virgin Media O2 study, over half of rural residents said their ability to work from home was negatively impacted by poor connectivity and almost a third did not have adequate connectivity to work remotely at all.
These disparities are acutely felt in rural areas that receive less investment. For example, ramifications of the youth brain drain are exacerbated in rural Scotland, where almost three-quarters of Scots fear the loss of young people from the countryside.
Jake Swindells, Director of Countryside Alliance Scotland, said:
“Opportunities in rural Scotland have been dwindling for decades. Agriculture, fishing, and other land-based professions continue to struggle with funding being cut by the Scottish Government. Some professions are much harder to navigate too, given the need for additional certification, licencing, health and safety requirements, and employment complications. The price that is paid to farmers for a pint of milk, for instance, is a world away from what supermarkets charge the consumer, and profits are rarely passed on back to the producer for reinvestment. The knock-on effect is a reduced capacity to employ local workers, including young people who have grown up in a rural setting.”
The increasing cost of housing, motoring, driving lessons, fuel and vehicles also contributes to the inability for young people to remain in rural areas where they may have to rely on local public transport services to get around. These services also seem to be in decline and are often unaffordable or infrequent.”
He added:
“Investment in rural Scotland seems to be on the backburner, with the Scottish Government prioritising the central belt instead of investing in the land management professions that could really become the backbone of Scotland once more. Legislation coming out of Holyrood of late seems to do little but tie the hands of those who work to ensure that our rural environment thrives.”
The Countryside Alliance will continue to advocate for the support and investment that rural communities deserve, including for adequate digital connectivity, affordable housing, reliable bus services, and a thriving British farming sector, so that those who grow up in the countryside are happy to stay.