Reinforcing Rural Resilience

This OECD report provides a roadmap for strengthening rural resilience by promoting people-centred policies that respond to the diverse challenges and opportunities facing different types of rural regions. Building on the OECD Rural Well-being Framework and Principles on Rural Policy, it distinguishes between rural regions near cities and rural remote regions to tailor more effective strategies. Amid global transformations such as the green transition, digitalisation, and demographic change, rural regions show potential in renewable energy, advanced manufacturing, and digital services. Yet, they face persistent issues including population decline, ageing and service gaps. The report outlines four STAR drivers of rural growth: Specific assets, Tradeable specialisation, Access to urban markets, and Resources (natural resources). It highlights enabling factors such as skills, entrepreneurship, and digital connectivity, and stresses the need for improved rural data, cross-government co-ordination, and stronger local voice. The report calls for differentiated policy actions to enhance competitiveness, service delivery, and environmental sustainability across rural types. In ensuring effective implementation of rural policy, the report explores key considerations such as effective communication, scale and co-ordination, and collection of reliable rural evidence.