The rural exodus of young people from empty Spain. Socio-educational aspects

• Published in: Journal of rural studies 2021-02, Vol.82, p.303-314
• Main Authors: Llorent-Bedmar, Vicente, Cobano-Delgado Palma, Verónica C., Navarro-Granados, María
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Demographic change; Depopulated areas; Education; Highlands; Inferiority; Mixed methods research; Population decline; Rural areas; Rural communities; Rural development; Rural migration; Rural youth; Social problems; Spain; Sustainability; Young adults; Youth
• ISSN: 0743-0167; 1873-1392
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jrurstud.2021.01.014

The depopulation of rural areas in Spain, a phenomenon that has given rise to what is currently known as ‘empty Spain’, has become a serious social problem. The mass exodus of the young to the country's cities poses the main threat to rural sustainability. In this paper, at attempt is made to determine the factors that prompt the young to leave the Celtiberian Highlands, one of the most sparsely populated areas in Southern Europe, and the socio-educational measures that could be taken to avoid this exodus. To this end, a mixed-method approach with a sequential design was employed, in which members of the region's Rural Development Groups were administered a questionnaire and interviewed, whose findings were supplemented by in-situ observations. The young people living in the Celtiberian Highlands are currently facing a series of professional, social and personal challenges that encourage them to emigrate. A worrying feeling of rootlessness and inferiority with respect to urbanites was detected among them. In light of this, it is essential to adopt socio-educational measures that contribute to strengthen their ties to the rural community and to raise their awareness about the serious problems to which depopulation gives rise and the role that they could play to prevent it. •There are few studies of the exodus of rural youth focusing on the most underpopulated area in Southern Europe.•The results suggest that fostering a feeling of belonging among the young to the community go to preventing their exodus.•A feeling of inferiority among rural youth with respect to urbanites has an influence on them when deciding to emigrate.•Rural youth should be made aware of the job and entrepreneurial opportunities open to them in their villages.