What is the term for the movement of people away from rural areas?

Rural depopulation is the term that specifically describes the process of people moving away from rural areas. This movement often occurs for various reasons, including the search for better employment opportunities, access to services, and improved living conditions that are more often found in urban centers.

Urbanization, while related, refers more broadly to the growth of urban areas as a result of population influx and may include both the movement from rural areas to cities, as well as the overall increase in urban populations. Migration is a general term encompassing any movement of people from one place to another, without focusing specifically on the rural context. Industrialization refers to the process of developing industries in a region or economy; it does not inherently pertain to population movement but can influence rural depopulation as industries often develop in urban settings, attracting workers from rural areas.