Rural exodus continues
More than half of Spain’s villages could ‘disappear’
THREE out every five of the more than 8,000 municipalities in Spain are at risk of ‘extinction’, according to state news agency EFE:
Figures from the national statistics institute (INE) show that more than 60% of towns and villages in the country hold just 3.2% of the national population.
According to EFE, the majority of Spaniards now live in large towns and cities – and rural areas are losing more and more residents.
This presents a ‘huge challenge’ to local, regional and national governments as the ‘rural exodus’ has continued apace during the last decade.
Commissioner for the rural population, Isaura Leal said that providing the country’s 8,124 municipalities with adequate services presented a problem.
She noted that the national government was working with other tiers of government to face up to the challenge.
Sra Leal said funding amounting to €80 million is available to towns and villages with less than 5,000 inhabitants to stimulate employment for young people.
They are also working on plan to ensure that 90% of municipalities have access to broadband internet before the end of 2019.
“Our aim is to ensure that there will be equal opportunities to access services all over the country,” she said.