A TALE OF TWO ROMANIAS. THE URBAN/RURAL SPLIT ON DEMOGRAPHIC AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS

OTOIU Adrian, Bucharest University of Economic Studies

Abstract:
This paper presents the differences between urban and rural areas from a demographic and socio-economic perspective. The demographic pyramid shows a slightly older rural population, more evenly distributed across ages. However, differences are mostly due to higher proportions of youths and seniors in rural areas. Migration patterns show that rural areas are gaining people from internal migration. Labour force age distribution shows more uniform patterns in rural areas, with many seniors working past retirement age. Unemployment rate differences are mostly explained by different socio-economic patterns. Also, inactivity rates among core working age rural population are significantly higher, questioning potential socio-economic issues. While major income differences persist, they have not grown deeper, and the share of monetary income is rising in rural areas. Overall, statistics show that no major imbalances exist between the two areas when several key socio-economic statistics are taken into account. Information on some of the relatively large differences could inform policy making, and limitations of the available statistics require further research.

Keywords: rural-urban split, demography, labour market, incomes, poverty, unmet health care needs

JEL Classification: R11, N34, J11, I14, I31

Volume: 70, Issue: 1

Pages: 8 - 26

Publication date: August, 2018

Download the article: http://economice.ulbsibiu.ro/revista.economica/archive/70101otoiu.pdf

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