Initiatives against the low population: Salamanca is betting on its rural future

The problem of the low population is one of the great challenges facing a large part of Rural Spain, and among those provinces is also Salamana. While young people migrate in search of job opportunities and more services more than enjoyment, many peoples are very empty, with increasing aging and economic activity in a decrease, in many cases, depends on more than agriculture and livestock. But this trend is not new, but it was producing contracts.

Since the middle of the twentieth century, when rural migration in cities began in search of work in industry and services, the Municipality of Salamana County has gradually losing its inhabitants. Today, according to the data of the National Institute of Statistics (INE), more than 75 % of the lands of Salama are considered a “demographic desert”, with a population of less than ten people per square kilometer. In some areas, this number is more worrying, as it comes out of the three population per square kilometer, which makes Salamaa in a state of more extreme collapse than even in some areas of Siberia.

However, in recent years, some initiatives that seek to reflect this trend and restore life to the rural areas of Salamanca County have emerged: programs to support rural entrepreneurship, the incentives for the installation of the new population, the recovery of abandoned houses for rent at a low cost or the improvement of digital delivery are some strategies that give positive results. However, there is still a lot that must be done to reflect the direction that, if not behaving quickly and designing, can lead to the disappearance of many of the villages of Salamanca in the coming decades.

Lack of job opportunities and search for solutions

One of the main problems to attract and preserve the young population in the villages of Salamaa is the lack of work. The economy of many rural sites continues to be largely dependent on agriculture and livestock, and it has reduced the mechanization of the field from the need for employment, the prices of agricultural products are increasingly unstable and competing with large exploits, and international markets make many small and medium -sized companies in the sector in the long term. This deficiency in opportunities in the basic sector, the deficiency in industries and companies that can accommodate the active population.

To try to combat this, there are some peoples in which a series of rural entrepreneurship programs were promoted that facilitate business creation. One of those municipalities is the village of Al -Asifa, which a few months ago decided to join the “Helo Pueblo” platform to expand their job opportunities. With only 275 people, it provides many options for project owners and businessmen such as their shelters or orchards for rental, and even provides areas of entrepreneurship in the tourism sector, recreational activities, and via phone activities or sports activities. In addition, there are some other municipalities such as La Vellés, Villamayor or Santa Marta that offer general jobs in maintenance, hospitality or cleaning.

Rehabilitation and appointment of housing

Another main factor is housing, because the lack of housing supplies at reasonable prices and in good condition represents an important obstacle for those who want to settle in the villages of Salama. Many homes have been abandoned in the rural environment over the years, which led to its deterioration, and in some cases, the most important. This is added that due to the migration of young generations, many houses are empty because their owners died or because the heirs have no benefit in using them.

However, one of the solutions to this problem is related to recovery programs for old homes that, with the support of public subsidies and cooperation with the owners, allows them to be fixed at reasonable prices for new settlers. In this 2025 we have, it was decided to rehabilitate more than 90 rural houses thanks to the “Rehabilitation” program in Junta de Castilla y león, which requires an investment of about 6 million euros. And some of the villages of Salamanca, such as Machacón, Ciudad Rodrigo and Peñaranda have already joined this initiative.

The Internet, the key to reinstallation

Today, communication is a major element for the development of rural areas and an essential tool for combating population interruption, in an increasing digital world. The presence of a fast and stable internet connection is necessary for both daily life and place. Although in recent years, many improvements have been made in the digital infrastructure of many villages in Salama, such as fiber optics, there are still some areas that have problems in accessing the Internet, which are a defect for those who want to develop their lives in these municipalities.

In order for connection to become a real engine for change, it is necessary to continue to expand the optics and improve technological infrastructure in all municipalities. In addition, it is important for departments to support these initiatives that encourage the use of new technologies in rural areas such as creating work spaces, training on digital competencies and helping the digitization of local companies. In this way, guaranteeing good contact in the villages of Salamca will not only facilitate the arrival of the new population, but will also allow the current population to reach more job opportunities and improve the quality of their lives.

The role of tourism and culture

Rural tourism has also become a source of income for many municipalities in Salamanca because interest in natural tourism, environmental tourism and authentic experiences have grown significantly. In addition, the rise of long -distance walking and the roads in nature was essential in this process, so Salama has already has many great environmental value places such as Sierra de France, Tripps del Duiro or Las Patokas Natural Park, where specified methods that allow travelers to explore the wealth of areas spread in the province.

In turn, the commitment to cultural heritage has turned some peoples into tourist outposts. Municipalities such as La Albeca, Ciudad Rodrigo or LEDESMA knew how to assess its history, which is traditional architecture and cooking timing, providing a different experience for visitors. This has strengthened the opening of rural homes, charming hotels and restaurants that are betting on local products, generating job opportunities and economics. In addition, the restoration of popular parties and traditions played a fundamental role in stimulating rural tourism. Middle Ages or craftsmen markets were able to attract both tourists and old residents who decided to return to their homelands.