Socio-Economic Differences between Rural and Non-Rural Areas

Abstract

Rural areas are an element and concept of territorial and regional theories, the study of which has become increasingly important and widespread in recent decades. Rural areas are one of the two main pillars of the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy. Scientific interest in them has been growing in recent decades, which goes hand in hand with the declining importance and place of agriculture for the development of these areas. In Bulgaria, this concept and its definition continues to be only at the level of implementation of support policies, whereas the data provision, implementation with administrative and governance essence is not adequately ensured. This impedes the research work, but does not diminish the importance and significance of the topic. Rural areas evolve over time as a symbol of profound socio-economic problems on one hand, and as a source of historical and cultural heritage, natural endowments and a favorable living environment on the other. The purpose of this paper is to identify the main socio-economic disparities between rural and non-rural areas and to look for their causes and consequences. Achieving this goal is done by applying a Factor-Shift model, which is based on Regional-Shift model. The Regional-Shift model offers an opportunity to see in what direction and to what extent a certain sector and economic characteristic have changed taking into account the influence of national-linked and industrial mix factors.