EXPLORING DUTCH MIGRATION TO RURAL SWEDEN: INTERNATIONAL COUNTERURBANISATION IN THE EU

ABSTRACT This paper explores whether the concept of counterurbanisation, expanded with an international dimension, offers a valuable framework for understanding recent migration flows from the Netherlands to Sweden. Using a geo‐referenced database comprising demographic and socio‐economic variables, the post‐migration employment status, employment sector and settlement location of Dutch migrants in Central Sweden are analysed. In addition, results from observation, interviews and a survey during emigration fairs are employed to describe the motives for migration from the Netherlands to Central Sweden. We argue that counterurbanisation is not an exhausted research topic, when international political, economic and socio‐cultural factors are added to the study.