Mid-size settlements in Europe. Definition, population trends, and contribution to regional development

Paolo Veneri (), Oecd Burgalassi and Oecd Weingarden
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Paolo Veneri: Gran Sasso Science Institute
Oecd Burgalassi: OECD
Oecd Weingarden: OECD

No 2024-17, Discussion Paper series in Regional Science & Economic Geography from Gran Sasso Science Institute, Social Sciences

Abstract: This paper analyses population trends throughout Europe at a granular spatial resolution between 2011 and 2021, focusing on midsize settlements (cities and towns from 5,000 to 250,000 inhabitants) and their surrounding areas. Settlements were delineated following the Degree of Urbanisation definition and using the 2021 population grid provided by Eurostat. While large cities drive population dynamics in Europe, midsize settlements show highly heterogeneous population trends. The observed differences in population growth are related to specific settlement features, such as population size, urban rank, accessibility, and service provision. For midsize settlements and their respective surrounding areas, access to cities is the strongest predictor of population growth. Availability of services and amenities also matters, but only within settlements’ boundaries. In a typical daily commute region, population growth of midsize settlements is associated with growth in the rest of the region, suggesting localised spread effects with positive implications for regional development.

Keywords: midsize settlements; small cities; towns; regional development; population growth (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: R10 R11 R12 R23 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 29 pages
Date: 2024-12, Revised 2025-03
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ahy:wpaper:wp61

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