If we want to do that we have to make living in the country attractive. Decentralisation is only going to be functional if living in rural communities is, well...functional. It's about providing opportunities close to home and at present they're sadly lacking anywhere off the coast.

Young people everywhere seek opportunity and choice. There are vast choices out there and often that means having to go to the cities. Decentralisation is important. However note that lots of people in early retirement seek out rural centres. A sense of community is such a health giving factor in smaller communities compared to the isolation experienced in suburbia.

GO LIVE IN THE COUNTRY AND YOU WILL BE ABLE TO ANSWER YOUR OWN QUESTION.

The real question is: should we? Young people are moving to the cities because they want the things that rural areas cannot provide (eg jobs).