top of page

Refilling the "emptied Spain"

Anonymous

April 26, 2023

Refilling the "emptied Spain"

This image was generated with Dream Studio AI.

The lack of job opportunities in rural areas of Spain has caused the migration of a large part of its population from rural areas to larger cities. This situation has caused what is known as the "emptied Spain", where a great part of Spanish small villages are being abandoned and only the elderly stay there. This reduction of population also carries the reduction of services offered in these areas (such as banks, supermarkets, education or health care) leaving the scarce number of people that still live there with even more reasons to migrate.

However, these small villages already have the infraestructure for larger numbers of people to live there, as most of them have a lot of houses that used to be inhabited but are now empty. A change I would like to see implemented in my home country is a better distribution of the Spanish population throughout the whole territory of the country, so that the congestion that bigger cities are experiencing now could also be solved and people that enjoy the benefits of living in rural areas could have the opportunity to make a life in there.

Politicians and other leaders should be the first ones to encourage this new migration tendency, as the current dinamics are deeply related to economic and job related issues, and opportunities should be created in rural areas. People that are currently online-working could also receive incentives to move to rural areas and establish in there. This way, the current "emptied Spain" could be refilled and the Spanish population would be more fairly distributed.

related stories

hallo
Den gröna framtiden
I would like to see a future where there has been a major change for the benefit of the environment and the future of the planet. Solar, wind and hydropower have replaced fossil energy sources. Buildings, houses, etc. are equipped to be self-sufficient both in terms of energy and, for example, basic raw materials such as potatoes and the like. Public transport has switched entirely to electric vehicles and there are incredible high-speed trains that can compete with flights between major cities.
hallo
Naturen er reddet
You have invented a technology that effectively breaks down CO2 from the atmosphere and you are back to a world without climate change. The gardens are healthy with beautiful coral reefs and full of fish. In the North there is winter with long periods of snow. Farther south in Europe there are rarer forest fires and normal amounts of rain that give good breeding. There are no climate refugees. They appreciate nature more and seek it out often. Animal welfare is also an important focus area and you eat less meat. Smartphones and computers are used less often, and you are less accessible by phone/mail both privately and at work.
hallo
Podróże w czasie
In 2040, the world looked very different than it did twenty years ago. Poland has become a peaceful, safe and united country around common values. The streets were clean, the cities well organized, and people lived in harmony, valuing their traditions and culture. There was an atmosphere of tranquility in the towns, with children playing in the backyards without fear, the elderly walking in the parks, and the neighbours knowing each other and helping each other in their daily lives. Local communities thrived and small family businesses thrived, supported by modern technologies and a conscious approach to the economy. There were no problems with crime or riots. The authorities have made sure that the country develops in a sustainable and safe way. Young people had good prospects – they could educate themselves at a high level, develop their passions and be sure that they would find a decent job. Thanks to a wise economic policy, Poland became self-sufficient – agriculture flourished, domestic companies produced modern technologies, and people enjoyed stability and prosperity. Society was united, proud of its history and ready to build the future in accordance with its own values. In the evening, sitting on the terrace of his house, John looked at the quiet streets and felt gratitude. He knew that his children were growing up in a world where they could feel safe, respect their roots and build a better future for generations to come.
hallo
Aucun
Au réveil, les machines préparent le petit déjeuner que j'ai l'habitude de prendre (café, pain grillé et un fruit). Mes vêtements sont prêts et se mettent automatiquement sur moi. Je prends des transports en commun qui vont vite, vole et permettent d'arriver rapidement sur son lieu de travail. Ce n'est pas très durable mais c'est pratique. Le vélo est devenu une activité en perte de vitesse car c'est moins rapide. La société va toujours plus vite. Tout est informatisé et ne permet pas d'avoir trop d'interaction sociale et c'est un bat qui blesse. Pour la vie de famille, cela reste tous ensemble dans la même maison mais cela ne permet pas vraiment de se croire en famille car chacun est plus isolé devant un appareil électrique qui occupe son temps libre
Join #OurFutures now!

The future is shaped by our ideas and our actions today. Tell us about your visions of the future and help us create a futures narrative aimed at inspiring citizens, policy-makers and foresight experts alike!

OURfutures.png

The European Commission support does not constitute endorsement of the contents which reflects the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained.

ERA_logo.jpg

We support the European Research Area aimed at creating a single, borderless market for research, innovation and technology in the EU.

©OurFutures 2025, All rights reserved.

  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube
bottom of page