The Rural Principles Series: Social Unease and Quality of Life in the Countryside

The OECD Centre for Entrepreneurship, SMEs, Regions and Cities (CFE) helps local, regional, and national governments unleash the potential of entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized enterprises, promote inclusive and sustainable regions and cities, boost local job creation, and support sound tourism policies. The Working Party on Rural Policy shaped the OECD Principles on Rural Policy, adopted by the Regional Development Policy Committee on 1 March 2019.

The Principles are designed to assist national, regional, and local governments in implementing more effective rural policies to improve the quality of life and create a more resilient, sustainable, and inclusive future for all. This workshop is part of a series of activities to gain insight into how OECD member countries implement the Principles.

Despite the overall prosperity of OECD countries, recent analysis documents rising inequalities across several indicators measuring economic performance and well-being standards between OECD urban and rural regions. These disparities have led to a sense of abandonment and neglect among rural populations, particularly in areas that are falling behind wealthier predominantly urban centres. This phenomenon has often been referred to as the geography of discontent, which highlights a growing divide.

Further studies show that rural discontent is deeply tied to people’s lived experiences in these areas. Many rural residents feel their interests are overlooked and ignored by elites that disregard their way of life. Across the OECD, the consequences of inaction can lead to social unrest and higher future remedial costs if left unattended. Therefore, it is crucial to develop and implement effective policies to bridge this gap.

Building on a 2023 seminar, hosted by Jan Versteeg, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to France, this event will present the OECD report Rural Discontent -- Social Unease and Quality Of Life In Rural Countryside. The report will focus on policy recommendations based on insights from several OECD countries, aiming to mitigate rural discontent.

A detailed agenda will be available closer to the date.