Rural Depopulation and Empty Villages in India: Spatial Patterns, Accessibility, and Sustainability Challenges

Rapid urbanization in developing countries has been a defining feature of the current century and a major focus of urban studies. In contrast, a shrinking rural population is an emerging trend that is often ignored. Rapid rural-to-urban migration erases the existence of many rural settlements. The phenomenon of rural depopulation is well noted in India, as the Census of India marked thousands of empty villages with a ‘0’ population in 2011. This study analyzes the spatial distribution of empty villages across India and examines the critical factors that drive rural depopulation. Using the 2022-23 Mission Antyodaya dataset covering over 641,000 villages, the study identifies nearly 28,000 villages with no inhabitants, accounting for 4.4% of the total villages in the country. These abandoned settlements are disproportionately clustered in economically disadvantaged regions with limited access to essential services such as education, healthcare, and transportation infrastructure. The findings reveal that inaccessibility is a key factor contributing to village abandonment. Logistic regression analysis revealed that villages located farther from primary schools and Anganwadi centers are significantly more likely to become uninhabited. Similarly, limited access to roads and public transportation further exacerbates rural outmigration. These challenges are major obstacles to rural sustainability and sustainable urbanization. Hence, this study underscores the need to strengthen transport networks and improve educational and healthcare infrastructure to prevent further rural decline and ensure balanced regional development. These insights offer crucial guidance for policymakers and can assist in reevaluating and reshaping rural development policies in India.