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
Le temps qui passe
The morning sun filtered through the dense foliage of the trees lining my Parisian apartment. Once a gray, noisy avenue, my street was now a verdant oasis, where birdsong replaced the roar of cars. The transformation of Europe had been radical. In 2025, we were on the brink of a climatic precipice. But a global awakening had taken place. Europe had embarked on an ambitious reforestation and sustainable development project. Cities were redesigned, and nature reclaimed its rights. Gasoline-powered cars disappeared, replaced by electric vehicles and efficient public transport. My day began with a bike ride along the old tracks, now transformed into winding cycle paths through parks and forests. Lunch consisted of fresh, local produce grown on rooftops and in community gardens dotted around the city. The afternoon was devoted to work, but even the offices were green and bright, with open coworking spaces and soothing views of the surrounding nature. Life in 2050 was slower, more conscious. We had swapped the frantic race for a pace more respectful of our environment and well-being. Europe had become a model of sustainable development, a society where technology and nature coexisted in harmony. And every day, I was delighted to have contributed, in my own small way, to this transformation.
hallo
Un espoir de bonheur collectif.
A European future capable of managing international crises with clear and precise objectives. Perhaps a new constitution less oriented towards a liberal economy (which doesn't mean freedom at all) but more towards respect for individual freedoms in relation to multinationals, more ecology, more autonomy in terms of food self-sufficiency. A greater capacity for energy autonomy, too, by being inventive in this area. Mass investment in research in this field would be an option. Regaining our pharmaceutical sovereignty would be reassuring. It would also be reassuring to see a return to social progress, and to stop blaming the weakest members of society (women, the unemployed, immigrants, etc.), who are not responsible for the crises we're going through. The culprits are the economic system (mainly liberal) and over-protected professional politicians. Limiting personal fortunes might be an interesting way of avoiding an oligarchic drift.
hallo
2040 début de la sobriété énergétique
on january 1, 2040, the european union will ban all individual vehicles, whatever their mode of propulsion. Subsidies have been distributed European citizens to invest in bicycles, be they 2-wheelers, 3-wheelers or family sedans. All cities are pedestrianized, and to get from one city to another, or from one country to another, numerous train and streetcar tracks have been created. The entire agricultural system has been overhauled and intensive productivity banished. Sobriety is on the march
hallo
Leben in 2040
As I'm getting older, I want to live as lightly as possible. Less work in the garden and more relaxing on the terrace. Everything should be as easy to reach as possible, i.e. shopping facilities, doctors, hospital, swimming pools, physiotherapy practices, etc. There are also plenty of "meals on wheels", as people hardly ever cook for themselves anymore. Cabs should be free so that people are a little less dependent on public transport. Everything should be easily accessible on foot or in a wheelchair.
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!

Our-futures-banner-coloured_v3.jpg

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