Primary objective of the study is the empirical verification of the hypothesis that countries of the Visegrad Group, although different in terms of the agrarian structures, face the same problems related to rural systems, population and conditions for growth in rural economy. We base on Eurostat data and literature studies to show the basic common and different characteristics of rural development in all four analysed countries. It can be considered that while the Visegrad Group countries are characterized by different models of agricultural development that affect the picture of rural areas in these regions, structural problems, such as unfavourable demographic trends and the general level of economic development in relation to the EU average remain at a similar level. It should be mphasized that it is agriculture as a sector, its diversity in particular countries, diversified level of development (agricultural productivity) that makes it difficult to integrate development mechanisms directed by individual countries to rural areas.