By Zhang Yunhua & Zhou Qunli, Research Department of Rural Economy, DRC

Research Report, No.18, 2021 (Total 6083) 2021-2-19

Abstract: The hollowing-out effect and the increasing number of aging population have become prominent problems in China’s rural areas. The development of rural areas lacks vitality as many young and middle-aged farmers have left their hometowns to look for jobs or get engaged in businesses in cities. Many schools in villages and townships have few students for most of the children have gone away with their parents and settled down in urban areas, leaving behind the elderly in rural areas. Therefore, we need to, in advance, make an overall planning for the development of villages, townships and counties in rural areas in line with the changing number and structure of the rural population. Since counties play a leading role in urban-rural integration and rural revitalization, efforts on the development of counties and rural areas should not be separated but be closely combined with each other. The capabilities of providing comprehensive services and driving economic growth of neighboring regions relating to counties need to be enhanced. The advantages of townships in connecting urban and rural areas need to be brought into full play. With regard to input for rural development in townships with large-scale population outflow, work needs to be done in a prudent manner. Related departments need to focus on boosting townships with strong capabilities, better conditions and great potential for long-term and clustered development. The layout of rural infrastructure and public services needs to be optimized to promote intensive use of facilities.

Keywords: the flow trend of rural population, hollow-out effect, the construction of rural areas, an overall planning