This paper is one output of the 2017 to 2020 NordicThematic Group for Sustainable Rural Development. The purpose of this project is to provide policy makers at the national, regional, and municipallevels an idea of what the size, composition, andgeographic distribution of the rural populations inthe Nordic countries might look like in 2040. It doesthis by compiling the population projections doneby the national statistical offices of the Nordiccountries to examine the size, regional concentration, age distribution, and other characteristics ofthe rural populations in the Nordic countries in thefuture. The future size of the both the urban andrural populations are examined to provide contextfor the expected population trends in rural areas.A separate policy brief is available which summarizes the key findings.