Originally published in 1981, the main thesis of this book is that rural labour markets are at the core of the problem of rural depopulation in development countries.

Part 1: Rural Development: Problems and Policies 1. Introduction 2. Demographic Change 3. Priorities and Objectives of Policy Part 2: Rural Employment: Actual and Potential 4. Agriculture 5. Forestry 6. Recreation and Tourism 7. Rural Industrialization 8. Employment in the Service Sector. Conclusion to Part 2. Part 3: Rural Employment Creation: Assessment, Planning and Implementation 9. Characteristics and Impact of Employment Creation 10. The Evaluation of Projects 11. An Assessment of Employment Creation in the Eastern Borders 12. Assessing Options for the Future of Poverdale 13. A Regional Approach to Employment Planning 14. The Implementation of Rural Employment Initiatives 15. Concluding Review