· State of the Countryside 2008 report
        · Analysis: Report reveals the state we're in

Around one in five rural households now live below the poverty line, states the annual report published by the Commission for Rural Communities on Wednesday (16 July).

One in five rural households are in poverty

The report aims to be the "first port of call" for those seeking factual information on social, economic and environmental issues in rural areas.

In the poorest fifth of rural households, 50% of income goes on essentials such as food, energy and transport.

This compares with 39% in the highest income rural households and 47% in the poorest urban households.

Poverty rose by 3% in rural households compared to 1% in urban households between 2004/05 and 2006/07.

This is the tenth annual State of the Countryside report to be published by the Commission for Rural Communities and its predecessor, the Countryside Agency.

{sidebar id=2}The document acknowledges there are many advantages to living and working in rural England but warns that some significant challenges remain.

Affordable housing and access to services have retained their place as the issues of most widespread concern amongst rural people.

The notion that rural England as a whole is better off than urban England has continued to mask significant levels of disadvantage, says the report.

"The quality of life may often be better in rural areas but this is not the case everywhere and for everyone," says the document.

People in rural areas generally enjoy healthier lifestyles and a better quality of life with lower crime.

But the number of rural households living in poverty is rising and inequality is growing between remote rural areas and other parts of the countryside.

Declining services continued to be a major concern for rural communities, said commission chairman Stuart Burgess.

"Each year we have found there are fewer outlets for many services and poorer accessibility to services for people without cars."

Housing affordability is also worse in rural areas.

In 2007, the average rural house price was £257,600 compared with £212,823 in urban areas, with rural house prices 6.8 times annual household income, compared to 5.8 times in urban areas.

But in some more sparsely populated rural areas, house prices can be up to 9.7 times annual household income.

Dr Burgess said: “Meeting affordable housing needs in rural areas remains a dominant challenge, with demand being heightened because of people seeking to relocate to the countryside."

                   • Analysis: Report reveals the state we're in (members only)
                   • Countryside 2008: Population increases (16 July 2008)
                   • Countryside 2008: Better for business (16 July 2008)
                   • Countryside 2008: A mixed environment (16 July 2008)

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