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The Spanish population is on the rise. For the first time, according to the latest provisional data from the National Institute of Statistics (INE), the number of inhabitants in Spain reaches 47,1 million. A growth mainly due to the positive contribution of migrations. However, despite reaching the historical maximum, the Spanish population grows irregularly. For example, some provinces such as Soria have reduced their population by more than 23%, compared to the 73% increase in Madrid according to the most recent data from the INE. In recent years, the trend of migration from rural areas to urban centers has created what experts call "empty Spain". A phenomenon that refers to the depopulation of the country's rural towns and municipalities.
The effects of depopulation mainly affect rural youth. This is one of the conclusions shown by "Rural Youth and Development", the interdisciplinary monograph that has been published on paper by the Youth Institute (Injuve). The research work has been coordinated by Ángeles Rubio and Guillermo Vázquez Vicente, members of the NONNOBIS Social Research group of the Rey Juan Carlos University.
A complete x-ray of rural youth
A total of 15 professors from different universities have participated in the interdisciplinary monograph on “Rural Youth and Development”. Through 11 articles, the result of research, it is deepened in building a complete radiography of the effects and possibilities of depopulation in rural youth.
Among the articles in the monograph, Carmen Peligros and Guillermo Vázquez, researchers from the NONNOBIS Social Research group, have addressed a study of the labor market and the training of young people from a geographical and rural perspective. For her part, Ángeles Rubio, also a member of the NONNOBIS group, has focused her research on business niches and youth employability in Uninhabited Spain.
Rural youth in emptied Spain
Depopulation in Spain, in general terms, implies aging, worsening of universal basic services and the loss of culture and roots. However, young people in rural areas are the most affected. Especially for job opportunities.
Guillermo Vázquez points out that the search for work has caused a large part of the young people to have had to emigrate to other regions where there are more possibilities. “Thus, the national reality leaves us with a very evident map of job desolation and potential depopulation,” says Vázquez.
In fact, the latest Youth and Labor Market Report, published by the Ministry of Labor, Migration and Social Security (2019) indicates that young people are underrepresented in the labor market, in contrast to the entrepreneurial activity they generate. Given this situation, the researcher Guillermo Vázquez indicates that more and more young people are opting for self-employment options.
Youth associationism and the future of youth depopulation
Faced with the situation of rural depopulation, youth associationism arises. Its influence is essential to create a social fabric, carry out the organization of patron saint and folklore festivals, strengthen the ties of belonging, and even develop economic activities.
A pioneer in associationism, the work of Francisco Burillo from the University of Teruel stands out. An initiative that he hopes to continue growing in Spain in order to encourage relationships and exchange of experiences among young people from the countryside.
Ángeles Rubio affirms that the university and the educational system can collaborate actively to combat rural depopulation. Promoting blended training adapted to rural areas or increasing information and educational guidance are some of the proposals suggested by the researcher. In this sense, the NONNOBIS-URJC group and the Association of Routes for Development carry out a network of Rural Universities, adapted to the needs of youth.
The work developed by the researchers analyzes the causes and possibilities to face and avoid the problem of depopulation of young people in rural areas. Guillermo Vázquez adds that the research must serve to value the economic potential, the monumental heritage and the intangible heritage. "For this, the coordination of administrations, associations and researchers in their task of transferring results to rural society is essential," says Vázquez.