Europe’s Invisible Neighbourhoods:
Why Farmland Still Matters for Rural Development
Lillemets, Jüri, Viira, Ants-Hannes, & Fertő, Imre
While Europe’s population is increasingly urbanized, an overlooked reality persists: most Europeans live remarkably close to agricultural land. A recent study by Lillemets et al. (2025) highlights that nearly all Europeans live within 10 kilometers of farmland, with a vast majority situated within just 1 kilometer. This proximity, surprisingly stable over the past two decades, reveals underlying demographic and land-use dynamics with significant policy implications, particularly for rural development and sustainability initiatives.
Historically, agricultural landscapes have defined economic and social structures in Europe. Although urbanization and rural abandonment have altered land-use patterns, agriculture remains central not only economically but also culturally and environmentally. Farmland abandonment, a growing issue tied to rural depopulation and economic decline, often results from reduced soil fertility, distance to urban centers, and limited accessibility. In contrast, regions closer to cities have experienced relatively stable or increasing populations due to better access to employment and services.
The findings emphasize significant regional variations across Europe. Northern Europe, including Scandinavia, displays lower population proximity to agricultural land, whereas Mediterranean and Central European countries exhibit greater proximity, influenced by climatic suitability, historical land-use practices, and agricultural structures. For instance, heterogeneous agricultural landscapes—diverse mosaics of fields and natural vegetation—are prevalent around Mediterranean populations. In contrast, Central Europe sees a dominance of arable land near residential areas, linked historically to grain production.
The data from the CORINE land cover project further underscores these disparities, revealing distinct patterns based on farmland type. Regions characterized by heterogeneous farmland, often viewed as more aesthetically pleasing and ecologically rich, attract residents and contribute positively to rural quality of life. Conversely, intensive agricultural production—typified by monoculture cropping and concentrated animal operations—tends to reduce rural attractiveness due to environmental impacts such as pollution and odors.
Moreover, the spatial relationships between population and farmland are not purely determined by the extent of agricultural land itself. Notably, only about half of the variation in population proximity to farmland can be explained by the share of agricultural land cover, suggesting that historical, geopolitical, and socio-economic factors also significantly influence these patterns. In Spain, for instance, historical conflicts and demographic shifts have concentrated populations away from extensive agricultural areas, demonstrating the role history plays in current land-use dynamics.
Importantly, the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), a central component of EU policy, substantially shapes rural land-use patterns and, by extension, population distribution. CAP’s measures, which have increasingly shifted focus from mere agricultural productivity towards multifunctional land use—combining ecological conservation, recreational opportunities, and aesthetic values—indirectly influence where and how people live. Policies that encourage diverse agricultural landscapes rather than intensive monoculture can enhance rural attractiveness, fostering population stability or even growth in areas at risk of abandonment.
This research presents crucial insights for policymakers, highlighting the need for region-specific strategies that recognize the diverse spatial relationships between populations and farmland across Europe. While broader EU policies like the Common Agricultural Policy continue shaping rural landscapes, more targeted measures that address local conditions—such as supporting heterogeneous farmland near communities—can ensure greater rural sustainability.
Future policies should prioritize understanding the nuanced interplay between population dynamics, farmland types, and regional characteristics. Identifying the attractiveness of diverse, multifunctional agricultural landscapes and understanding their capacity to sustain rural communities could better address issues of rural depopulation and enhance overall quality of life. Moreover, ongoing shifts in public perception towards valuing rural landscapes as spaces of leisure and aesthetic appreciation rather than merely production-oriented land use call for policies that balance agricultural productivity with broader environmental and social objectives.
In conclusion, recognizing the spatial proximity of Europe’s population to farmland opens new avenues for rural development strategies. Rather than merely preserving agricultural landscapes, policies should focus on enhancing their multifunctionality, integrating aesthetic and ecological values into agricultural practices, and reinforcing the broader socio-economic fabric of rural areas. Ultimately, understanding the intertwined geography of people and farmland is essential for ensuring Europe’s rural regions remain vibrant, sustainable, and attractive places to live.
Reference: Lillemets, J., Viira, A.-H., & Fertő, I. (2025). The intertwined geographies of agricultural land and human settlement in Europe. Land Use Policy, 153, 107527.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2025.107527
