Part I – Rural Development Statistics Handbook Chapter III Eurostat’s views

Part I – Rural Development Statistics So far an official definition of “rural” does not exist in EU It is difficult to find such a definition, thanks to diversity of MS For the time being we are using two approaches:  OECD concept and  degree of urbanisation concept

Part I – Rural Development Statistics Degree of urbanisation concept Three types of areas are distinguished: (1) densely populated area: set of local areas, with a density > 500 I/km 2, and a total population of at least inhabitants. (2) intermediate area: set of local areas, not belonging to (1) with a density > 100 I/km 2, and either with a total population of at least inhabitants or adjacent to (1).

Part I – Rural Development Statistics Degree of urbanisation concept (3) thinly populated area: set of local areas, neither belonging to a (1) or (2).  Set of local areas less than 100 km 2, not reaching the required density, but entirely enclosed within (1) or (2), is considered to form part of that area.  If enclosed within (1) and (2) it is considered to form part of (2).

Part I – Rural Development Statistics other tested approaches Combining the OECD concept with land cover data (DG AGRI, 2004) Using population density as the main criterion but with a relative threshold (in relation to average national population densities) (DG EUROSTAT)

Part I – Rural Development Statistics studies conducted to identify indicators PAIS report (Proposal on Agri-Environmental Indicators) Hay report (Rural Indicators and Rural Development) Identification of important issues Identification of indicators Testing of data availability in MS

Part I – Rural Development Statistics Data collection exercise (1) Eurostat’s data collection exercise Phase:  to cover axis 3 of DG AGRI, aiming at improving quality of life in rural areas and diversification of rural economies. Indicators to be collected at NUTS 3 level (NUTS Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics )

Part I – Rural Development Statistics Data collection exercise (2) In Phase II this exercise will be repeated after review and indicators for axis 1 (Increasing the competitiveness of the agricultural sector) and axis 2 (improving the environment and landscape) will be included.

Part I – Rural Development Statistics Data collection exercise (3) In Phase III the “full set” of reviewed indicators will be collected to check if routine collection is possible.

Part I – Rural Development Statistics Data collection exercise Will mainly cover the following issues:  Demography – Migration  Economy –Human Capital  Accessibility to services – Infrastructure  Social well-being