Socio-economic and Demographic Trends in EU Rural Areas: An Indicator-based Assessment with LUISA Territorial Modelling Platform

This work presents an application of the LUISA Territorial modelling platform under the last released Territorial Reference Scenario 2017. It provides a broad overview of the situation of EU regions from a socio-economic and demographic point of view with special focus on rural areas. In particular, five indicators were selected, developed and analysed to better understand current and future spatial patterns and trends with regard to the rural population, agricultural production systems, agricultural land abandonment, employment and GVA (Gross Value Added) in the primary sector. The relevant indicators were developed, implemented and mapped at different level of aggregation (European, national and regional/local) from 2015 to 2030. Differences and disparities between regions are, then, further analyzed, emphasizing the situation of predominantly rural regions.