Exploring the Effect of Rural Residents’ Emigration on Rural Areas’ lack of sustainability: A Case Study of Shahrekord Villages

Abstract

Iran, along with technological and population transformations across the world, has shared a great deal of features in economic and social affairs with most of the developing countries (Lahsaeezadeh, 1989: 61). This study sought to investigate the causes and effects of rural residents’ emigration on rural areas’ lack of sustainability in Shahrekord villages. To this end, the data was collected through field study. A lot of factors contribute to rural emigration in ChahrMahal and Bakhtiari Province, and Shahrekord, in particular, which include proximity of some rural areas to cities and enjoying much city dwelling potentials and attractions, as well as lack of sufficient facilities and services (educational, recreational, sanitary, etc). The results of testing the hypotheses revealed that unemployment (r=.424), retirement (r=.470), and lack of sufficient facilities (r=.454) are the chief priorities and factors affecting rural residents’ emigration and rural areas’ lack of sustainability.