Rural Depopulation Voluntary migration

Voluntary Migration The most common example of voluntary migration is the movement of people from rural areas to urban areas. This is called rural to urban migration and occurs in every country in the world, as they become more urbanised.

MEDC’s In MEDC's the massive movement of people from rural areas to the cities has occurred for many reasons. This has caused rural areas to become depopulated and has led to the decline of services in these rural areas. Things like village shops and post offices have often found that they do not have enough customers to allow them to remain open.

Origin: Push Factors Few job opportunities in the rural areas. Few friends left as many have already moved to the cities. Few entertainment or leisure activities available. Low wages in agricultural work. Often difficult to get out to see friends and go to social events.

Destination: Pull Factors Many job opportunities. The chance to meet up with friends again. More leisure and entertainment opportunities. Better shops and services, offering a wide range of goods. The prospect of higher paid work, meaning a better standard of living. Easily accessible to friends, social events and work.

Commuter Villages In MEDC's a counter movement has begun to occur however, with people moving out to the countryside to get away from the pollution and congestion of the city. More often than not they work in the urban areas though, commuting in every morning. This has led to rural villages changing from farming communities to commuter villages, which are also called dormitory villages.

LEDC’s In LEDC's the movement to urban areas is even greater than in MEDC's. People move to the cities because they believe that they will be more able to get employment and have a better way of life. This is sometimes called "the bright lights syndrome". However this is not always the case as they often end up living in shanty towns and finding occasional, poorly paid work. Despite this the in-migration continues rapidly.