ABSTRACT
In relation to rural communities in Hungary today a singular social phenomenon deserves attention which, for want of a better term, I will refer to as the 'invisible' population. Broadly, I use this term to describe categories of people who are closely involved in the economic and social life of the village but are not permanent residents:
sons and daughters of residents, who live outside the village but nevertheless retain important economic and social links with the village through their parental households and the small farms.
sons, daughters and siblings of villagers, living outside the village, who continue to farm a small plot in Pécsely, although they no longer have close family or parents living in the village.
newcomers, who have purchased a small plot in Pécsely and spend holidays and weekends farming - or often pretending to farm to satisfy statutory regulations.
