The dynamic rural stayer – Analysing the dynamics of the staying process in rural areas

The staying process has been somewhat neglected in population geography. The purpose of the research is to shed light on the staying behaviour in rural places, the factors that influence the staying decision, as well as understanding how the impact of these underlying mechanisms on the development of rural areas. The article studies stayers in ages above thirty in four local communities in Ostrobothnia, Finland. The analysis is partly based on existing literature on the decision to stay, which highlights place attachment and structural constraints as decisive factors. This article contributes by emphasizing that local dynamics should also be considered a significant factor in the decision to stay, alongside these existing factors. Dynamics may be studied using the concepts of social innovation and collective capability, which reveal the local social culture and opportunities for social interaction as decisive both for the development of the local community as well as the decision to stay. While acknowledging the importance of spatial location and place character, the article concludes that dynamic rural stayers are shaped by both local history and social culture, as well as by their own activities. • Reasons for staying in rural communities were explored via interviews and reviews of development over the past century. • The literature on staying was further developed by adding the understandings of collective capability and social innovation. • Significant factors for staying decisions confirms previous studies highlighting place attachment and structural constraints. • The paper adds local dynamics as a decisive factor the staying decision.