The key characteristics of settlements with a growing population

This study examines examines the key characteristics of EU settlements with growing populations, focusing on villages and towns and analysing the influence of local characteristics and broader area-based factors on population trends. Comparing the 2021 and 2011 censuses, the study identifies patterns of population change related to key settlement dimensions, including: I) spatial characteristics and functional ranking, II) demographic characteristics, III) quality of infrastructure, spatial and digital accessibility, IV) public and private service provision and tourism capacity, and V) geographical and climate-related characteristics. Results indicate that villages, towns and cities with or near to a beach, school, hospital or train station tend to grow faster. Having good road transport performance and fast download speeds also helps. Settlements with a higher employment rate, a higher share of working-age population and a higher share of people born outside the country or the EU are more likely to grow. Regional centres, i.e. the largest settlement in a wider area, and settlements close to cities tend to exhibit higher growth rates, as do those that are part of a functional urban area (FUA), and especially the capital city FUA.

DIJKSTRA Lewis;  KOMPIL Mert;  PROIETTI Paola;  DORATI Chiara;  JACOBS-CRISIONI Chris; 

2026-07-13

European Commission

JRC147421

https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC147421,