Depopulerade

Depopulerade is a Swedish term that translates roughly to depopulated. Grammatically, it is the past participle form of the verb depopulera (to depopulate) and is commonly used as an adjective to describe places, populations, or regions that have experienced a significant decline in inhabitants.

In Swedish demography and urban geography, depopulerade places are those that have lost residents over time due to migration, economic change, aging, or disasters. The term appears in statistical reports, news articles, and academic studies to distinguish areas with shrinking populations from those that remain stable or grow. It is often used in discussions about rural areas and regional development.

Causes commonly cited include out-migration to urban centers, loss of local employment, closures of schools and services, and insufficient housing or infrastructure. Effects frequently include an aging population, reduced public services, abandoned housing, and diminished economic activity. The phenomenon is of particular concern in countries with large rural areas or post-industrial regions.

Policy and planning responses aim to mitigate or reverse depopulation through regional development, incentives for businesses and families, improved transportation and digital connectivity, and cooperation among municipalities. The term also serves as a point of comparison with depopulation trends in other regions or countries, highlighting the heterogeneity of population change across spaces.

See also: rural depopulation, urbanization, population decline, depopulation.