Depopulation, Ageing, and Social Sustainability: Institutionalized Elderly and the Geography of Care Between Rural and Urban Romania

Population ageing and rural depopulation are reshaping the social and spatial structure of many European regions, producing new forms of social risk and care dependency. This study examines how institutionalization among older adults reflects the broader dynamics of demographic decline, migration, and uneven territorial development. Using a qualitative design, semi-structured interviews and social network mapping (ecomaps) were conducted with residents of an urban elderly care facility in Romania. Guided by frameworks of social sustainability, social capital, and territorial resilience, the analysis explores how the erosion of informal networks and migration-driven care deficits affects the wellbeing and social inclusion of older people. Findings show that institutionalization operates both a consequence and as an indicator of depopulation and spatial inequality, highlighting the disconnection between aging populations and community-based care infrastructures. Yet, residents develop micro-level forms of resilience and relational stability within institutional life. The study concludes that sustainable territorial development must integrate care and ageing into regional planning, encouraging decentralized, community-based services that rebuild local networks and restore social cohesion.