More than a third of people living in Welsh countryside plan to move to towns and cities
New research reveals that rural areas in Wales are expected to have a population decline.
New research reveals that rural areas in Wales are expected to have a population decline, with over a third of residents considering a move to towns or cities within the next 12 months.
The Shared Rural Network, who conducted the study, found the main reasons for people moving away were: seeking better career opportunities, improved access to services, and high-quality connectivity.
Research findings:
- 21% of rural Welsh residents are likely to move to urban areas in the next year, with 59% expressing concern over the resulting rural brain-drain.
- Nearly one-third (31%) of rural Welsh residents face connectivity problems regularly, impacting their ability to work remotely (54%) and socialise (48%).
- 58% of Welsh rural residents say a lack of career prospects as a reason to leave.
- 42% of Welsh rural residents say easier access to healthcare services as a reason to leave.
- 32% of Welsh rural residents say they would move to seek better access to friends and family.
Virgin Media and O2’s research found that poor mobile and internet connectivity are pushing people away from rural areas, with access to high-speed and reliable connectivity cited as a key driver by almost one in six (16%) residents that plan to move to an urban area in the UK.
Jules Hudson, TV Presenter for ‘Escape to the Country’ & ‘Springtime on The Farm’ said: "The countryside has huge potential with innovative entrepreneurs and businesses.
Enhanced connectivity can unleash this potential, reversing depopulation trends and revitalizing villages nationwide"