The implications of urban-to-rural migration on rural development: A systematic literature review

Urban-to-rural migration (URM) is reshaping rural development worldwide, bringing both opportunities and challenges. This study follows the PRISMA methodology to conduct a systematic review of 58 cases from 19 articles published in Scopus and Web of Science between 1990 and March 2024. It examines how different types of URM impact rural development across economic, agricultural, social, demographic, and ecological aspects globally. Findings indicate that URM had more positive than negative impacts on rural development, particularly in economic revitalization, ecological protection, and agricultural diversification. This study also examines six typological categories of URM on rural development. Typological analysis reveals that retirement migration has little impact on economic development and accelerates rural aging, while amenity and back-to-the-land migration promote environmental conservation. The spatial analysis highlights the heterogeneous impacts of URM in high-income and developing countries. While URM positively contributes to economic development in both developed and developing countries, the modes of economic development differ. In developing countries, new activities complement traditional agriculture, whereas in developed countries, rural economies transform the expansion of both agricultural and non-agricultural sectors. However, URM also poses significant challenges, particularly in developed countries where rural gentrification exacerbates conflicts and inequalities between newcomers and local communities. The opportunities and challenges in URM deserve policy attention in rural development.