Migration's Role in Shaping Socio-Demographic Structure in the Peripheral Rural Regions

A Case Study of Lithuania

Journal Article (2025)
Author(s)

Rūta Ubarevičienė (Lithuanian Centre for Social Sciences, TU Delft - Architecture and the Built Environment)

Tautvydas Žinys (State Data Agency/Statistics Lithuania)

Edis Kriaučiūnas (Lithuanian Centre for Social Sciences)

Research Group
Urban Studies
DOI related publication
https://doi.org/10.1002/psp.70010 Final published version
More Info
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Publication Year
2025
Language
English
Research Group
Urban Studies
Issue number
2
Volume number
31
Article number
e70010
Downloads counter
221
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Abstract

This paper aims to deepen our understanding of how migration shapes the socio-demographic structure of the peripheral rural regions. We bridge the fields of peripherality and migration research to address the gap in understanding their interplay. We use Lithuania as a case study, exemplifying the metropolization-peripheralization trend and selective migration patterns. Our analysis uses a unique longitudinal, geocoded data set covering the entire population, including inner and international migrants, allowing for a detailed examination of migration patterns across spatial and temporal dimensions from 2001 to 2021. The results show significant variations in the characteristics of individuals migrating to and from peripheral rural regions across different directions, with two-way migration flows playing an important role in shaping the socio-demographic structure of these regions. Furthermore, migration—particularly inner migration—has become an increasingly important factor influencing population dynamics and contributing to further peripheralization.