A Region of Contrasts

In France today, eight out of ten inhabitants live near an urban center, including one out of five in the Ile de France region (Paris), which indicates that the regions are urbanizing.  Midi-Pyrenees reflects this phenomenon. Urbanization here is taking place at a faster rate than the average for French regions, particularly around Toulouse, where it is 1.6% per year, along major highways:
                       - A20 (Toulouse Montauban Cahors)
                       - A68 (Toulouse Albi Rodez)
                       - A64 (Toulouse Tarbes)

Metropolitan Toulouse is experiencing exceptionally fast growth; with a population increase from 1990 to 1999 of 120,000 inhabitants making Toulouse the fifth largest metropolitan area in France.

On the other hand, the rural space as defined in broad terms (i.e as opposed to the predominantly urban and suburban zones) has a different structure of the population. It covers 97% of the regional territory and is home to 56% of the population: so its density amounts to 34 inhab./km². It breaks down into 129 habitation zones (including six near major urban areas). The rural space in Midi-Pyrenees is not homogenous, with certain areas conforming to traditional definitions of rural stability, while others experience rapid growth (population, jobs, infrastructure). 

Source INSEE, 6 pages n° 63, may 2006