The Relationship between Population Changes and Some Characteristics of the Village and Population Sustainability in Rural Areas: The Example of Tokat Province

Abstract

This research was carried out in order to evaluate population movements in the rural areas of Tokat province, to determine some characteristics of the villages and to reveal the relationship between population movements and these characteristics. The population data used in the research was compiled from the TÜİK data system, and the characteristics of the villages were determined by interviewing 600 village headmen. According to the results obtained by evaluating the data set covering a 16-year period, 78.8% of the villages in Tokat province and districts showed a decrease. The rate of villages that increased or remained stable was 21.2%. It can be said that there is a population in the research area that makes a living by continuing farming activities. It can be said that non-agricultural occupational diversity is limited in the region and the villages generally consist of middle-income group households. Due to the large number of dry agricultural areas, the product group with the highest production is field crops. Livestock activities are carried out by a low proportion of the population. The average distance of the villages to the city center is 66.2 km. According to the chi-square analysis results, it was determined that there was a permanently significant relationship between population change and provincial openness distance, farming and non-agricultural occupations. The villages with a severe decrease are the villages furthest from the city center. In addition, it has been determined that there is severe migration in villages where farming and other occupational diversity is high. Support activities other than general support can be carried out to ensure that the young and middle-aged group in rural areas continue to live in rural areas and that the same group that has migrated to the city prefers to live in villages. In particular, revitalizing livestock activities can be an alternative for young people to stay in the village or for those who have left to return to the village.