We live in a time of rapid urbanisation and ageing population, alongside international migration. It is clear that these demographic trends will strongly affect all of the Nordic countries, and especially their rural and peripheral regions. While these regions lose work force and tax revenues to pay for increased welfare demands, the fast growing city regions face other problems: housing shortages, congested roads and insufficient public transportation. The question is, what can we do about it? This policy brief compares national policies and measures taken in the Nordic countries: How to mitigate (prevent negative effects), or adapt to these demographic trends in rural and peripheral areas?