ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Rural exodus

Rural exodus is when people living in the countryside or rural areas move away to live in the city or a more urban area. You know how your toys and friends and school are all in your house or neighborhood? Well, for some people, their jobs and things they need to do are not where they live, but in a city or town instead.

Sometimes people move to the city because they want to find a job that is not available in the countryside. Other times, they move because they feel like there are more opportunities for them in the city to grow or to get more things done. People who leave the countryside often talk about how they are not able to have access to a lot of things like good schools, entertainment or medical care. They feel like they can find those things in the city instead.

However, when many people leave the countryside, businesses and communities can suffer. These areas are often dependent on farming or other primary industries, and there might not be enough people left to keep them going. So this means not only fewer opportunities, but also less support in these areas. Rural communities are sometimes left with fewer services like healthcare, grocery stores and transportation, which makes it harder for the people who remain in these areas. It's important to find ways to keep a balance between living in the city and the countryside to make sure that everyone has access to the things they need to live a good life.