Eurostat has published its regional yearbook providing statistics and data collected in the 28 Members States of the EU. This yearbook focuses on different subjects such as health, education and training, labour market, research and innovation, tourism and transport among others. This 2017 edition also presents a focus on European cities and a focus on rural areas.

The chapter on rural areas assesses differences between people living in rural areas and those living in urban areas in the 28 Member States of the EU.  It covers the following subjects: poverty and social exclusion, housing, health, education, the labour market and the digital divide.

The results in rural areas vary from one Member State to another, nevertheless it is possible to draw trends