Freedom and greater quality of life – this is what rural areas represent for many people, and especially for many young people. This is corroborated by the present study of rural life presented in Margrethen am Moos (Brook an der Leitha district). “This year we have integrated a youth study into the Rural Life Report for the first time. We see that youth can imagine life in the country, which is certainly a positive sign for future rural development,” ADEG Austria CEO Brian Beck said.

“Pandemic is an opportunity for rural areas”

One of the study results shows that 37 percent of youth want to live in rural areas, 25 percent prefer a large city, and twelve percent want to live in a smaller city. According to experts, one cannot speak of an exodus from the city, but a strong development towards rural life: “One of the conclusions is that the pandemic, as sad as the crisis, is a disaster for the rural people as well. have the opportunity. Area. Thanks to digitization, it sometimes works from home, and it also works from rural areas to work,” explains Peter Filzmayer, political scientist at Danube University Krems.

So it is clear that the conditions for life in the country should be right. Austrian Association of Municipalities vice-president Sonja Ottenbacher listed “job opportunities, prospects of living, above all infrastructure and involvement in community life and activities”.

Incidentally, the study cited reasons for wanting to live in the country, greater security, lower housing costs, helping neighborhoods, good surroundings for children, closeness to nature, and high levels of entertainment.