Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Urban exodus refers to the phenomenon where a significant number of people leave cities and move to rural areas. This can occur due to various reasons such as high cost of living, overcrowding, or lack of job opportunities.
Related terms
Rural-Urban Migration: It refers to the movement of people from rural areas to urban areas in search of better economic opportunities and improved living conditions.
Suburbanization: Suburbanization is the process where people move from cities to suburbs, which are residential areas located on the outskirts of cities.
Counterurbanization: Counterurbanization occurs when individuals or families choose to leave both urban and suburban areas in favor of smaller towns or rural communities.