Midsize Settlements in Europe: Definition, Population Trends, and Contribution to Regional Development

ABSTRACT This paper analyses population trends across Europe at a fine spatial resolution from 2011 to 2021, focusing on midsize settlements (cities and towns with 5000–250,000 inhabitants) and their surrounding areas. While large cities dominate Europe's demographic dynamics, midsize settlements exhibit stark heterogeneity in population growth, driven by factors such as settlement size, urban hierarchy position, accessibility, and service provision. We find that proximity to cities is the strongest predictor of population growth for both midsize settlements and their respective hinterlands. Service availability also matters, but only within settlements' boundaries. Finally, population growth in midsize settlements' commuting regions is positively associated with both proximity to secondary settlements offering regional‐level functions (e.g., hospitals, universities) and with growth of the central‐largest settlement.