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The Pattern and Local Push Factors of Rural Depopulation in Less-Developed Areas: A Case Study in the Mountains of North Hebei Province, China

Author

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  • Zhonglei Yu

    (Key Research Institute of Yellow River Civilization and Sustainable Development, Collaborative Innovation Center on Yellow River Civilization Jointly Built by Henan Province and Ministry of Education, Henan University, Kaifeng 475001, China)

  • Hua Zhang

    (Faculty of Geographical Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China)

  • Piling Sun

    (School of Geography and Tourism, Qufu Normal University, Rizhao 276826, China)

  • Yandi Guo

    (Key Research Institute of Yellow River Civilization and Sustainable Development, Collaborative Innovation Center on Yellow River Civilization Jointly Built by Henan Province and Ministry of Education, Henan University, Kaifeng 475001, China)

Abstract

Rural depopulation is the most significant geographical phenomenon in rural areas during the process of urbanization. Although many studies have investigated the driving force of rural depopulation based on rural-urban migration at the macro level, the local factors, and their impact on rural depopulation from the rural areas have been not fully revealed. This paper selected the northern mountains of China’s Hebei province as a study area to explore the pattern and local push factors of rural depopulation at the rural-township levels based on GeoDetector. The main findings are summarized as follows. (1) Rural depopulation varies substantially, demonstrates spatial correlation, and is distributed in clusters. From a dynamic perspective, compare that in years 2000–2010, the population growth areas during 2010–2017 have been significantly expanded, while the sharp depopulation areas and severe depopulation areas experienced shrinkage in our study area. (2) The pattern of rural depopulation is in accordance with terrain. Rural depopulation tends to be stronger in plateaus and mountains, while relatively milder in intermontane basins, hills, and piedmont plains. (3) The agricultural suitability of natural environmental and rural economic opportunities together with climate changes were the most important driving forces of rural depopulation at local levels. Location, sparse population, and inadequate public services also contributed to rural depopulation. However, the dominant driving factors are different in the different periods. Rural depopulation was mainly driven by arable land per capita and natural environmental variables in the years 2000–2010, while the population density, location, and off-farm economic opportunities played a decisive role in the years 2010–2017. (4) Rural depopulation is a complex, multi-dimensional process driven by a combination of multiple factors including different environmental factors, economic opportunities, and location. This paper reveals the push factors of rural depopulation in underdeveloped mountainous areas by a quantitative empirical approach, inspiring increased attention to the impacts of local factors and spatial correlations on rural depopulation, and has many implications for the policy design of China’s rural revitalization.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhonglei Yu & Hua Zhang & Piling Sun & Yandi Guo, 2022. "The Pattern and Local Push Factors of Rural Depopulation in Less-Developed Areas: A Case Study in the Mountains of North Hebei Province, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(10), pages 1-27, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:10:p:5909-:d:814426
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    1. Calvin Beale, 1964. "Rural depopulation in the united states: Some demographic consequences of agricultural adjustments," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 1(1), pages 264-272, March.
    2. McGranahan, David A. & Beale, Calvin L., 2002. "Understanding Rural Population Loss," Rural America/ Rural Development Perspectives, United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service, vol. 17(4), December.
    3. Richard Black & Stephen R. G. Bennett & Sandy M. Thomas & John R. Beddington, 2011. "Migration as adaptation," Nature, Nature, vol. 478(7370), pages 447-449, October.
    4. Fernando Collantes, 2009. "Rural Europe reshaped: the economic transformation of upland regions, 1850–20001," Economic History Review, Economic History Society, vol. 62(2), pages 306-323, May.
    5. Zhonglei Yu & Lei Liu & Hua Zhang & Jinshe Liang, 2017. "Exploring the Factors Driving Seasonal Farmland Abandonment: A Case Study at the Regional Level in Hunan Province, Central China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(2), pages 1-18, January.
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