Rural
With 20 per cent of the Region’s population living in rural areas and 25 per cent of GVA generated by businesses in the rural North East, it is vital that the One NorthEast maximises the economic contribution and addresses the challenges of its rural areas.
Defining the Rural North East:
Based on DEFRA’s 2009 definition, approximately 80% of the North East land is classified as rural. This includes the Local Authorities of Northumberland, Durham and Redcar and Cleveland.
Key Facts
The rural North East contributes 25% towards the regions GVA
Whilst areas of highest performance tend to be within, or adjacent to, the City Regions, the North East is unique as a region in that 31% of its rural population live within the 30% most deprived localities: the national average is only 5%
Despite its size the North East has the smallest area of agricultural land of all English regions. Just 590,000 hectares of North East land are in agricultural production, representing 6% of the country’s agricultural productive land. Much of this land is located in the eastern half of the region which is commonly misconceived as urban.
The rural North East contains an economy with a similar sector mix to its urban areas – rural areas are not just about agriculture and tourism. Manufacturing is the single largest rural employer.
The north East’s rural businesses are largely micro enterprises, less than 30% of rural businesses employ more than 50 workers.
The rural North East hosts 20% of the region’s population and is aging faster than the region’s urban population.
Strategic Policy Manager - Place
frances.rowe@onenortheast.co.uk
Tel: +44 (0)191 229 6370
Place Policy Specialist - Rural
victoria.catesby@onenortheast.co.uk
Tel: 0191 229 6569
