A quiet life in the countryside appeals to nearly half of Australia’s city residents, but concerns about access to health care, housing and jobs are stopping them making the move.

Country Australia is on track to become home to 11 million people by 2032, or 40 per cent of the population, while 40 per cent of people living in the cities are considering a move to the bush, research from the Regional Australia Institute shows.

While the country lifestyle and lower cost-of-living was appealing, access to housing, health care, connectivity and public transport were seen as key barriers.

Those findings - along with a lack of progress on skilled workforce and education targets - has prompted the think tank to call for “40 for the regions”.

Regional Australia should get 40 per cent of the seat

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