Demographic Change, Provision of Public Services and the Role of Agriculture in Remote Rural Areas: Findings from East Germany

Many rural areas in (East) Germany are characterised by declining birth rates and selective migration. Similarly, the rural economy is stagnating or even shrinking. Many communes are no more in a position to guarantee legally stipulated provisions of basic public services. In many rural areas agricultural production is the only remaining economic activity left while artisans and service providers have given up. In this contribution, it is analysed how agricultural producers in remote rural areas are affected by demographic change. In addition, it is discussed whether they already provide basic public services in their areas, or could do so in the future