Castilla-La Mancha reverses demographic decline in depopulated rural areas through long-term policy commitment and territorial investment
- Rural Pact
- Rural Revitalisation Platform
- Stronger Rural Areas
- Connected rural areas
- Resilient rural areas
- Prosperous rural areas
- Demography
- Governance
- Access to services
- Housing
- Transport and mobility
- Digital
- Infrastructure
- Entrepreneurship
- Employment
- Energy
- Sports, Culture and leisure
The Spanish region Castilla-La Mancha had faced long-standing demographic challenges in its rural interior. Around three-quarters of its municipalities had lost population over recent decades, and many small towns’ population densities are far below the national average, reflecting sustained out-migration and population ageing.
© European Union, 2025
In response to these challenges, the regional government implemented targeted policy responses establishing a comprehensive framework to reverse these trends. Read from the region’s Commissioner for Demographic Change on how long-term legislation, investment and integrated policies improved services, connectivity and opportunities.
A pioneering legislative commitment to addressing rural depopulation
Castilla-La Mancha was the first region in Europe to adopt a comprehensive law addressing rural depopulation through economic, social and tax measures. Approved unanimously by the regional Parliament in 2021, following broad citizen participation, the law takes a cross-cutting approach to ensuring that people living in sparsely populated areas can access opportunities and essential services.aw takes a cross-cutting approach to ensuring that people living in sparsely populated areas can access opportunities and essential services.
The law includes measures to improve mobility and digital connectivity, facilitate access to housing, prioritise business creation, and introduce tax deductions for residents in depopulated municipalities. By combining fiscal, social and economic instruments within a single legislative framework, Castilla-La Mancha established a structured and long-term policy response to demographic decline.
This legislative initiative forms part of Castilla-La Mancha’s broader engagement with the Rural Pact, through which the regional government has pledged to implement integrated and place-based policies to strengthen rural territories and address demographic challenges.
A long-term strategy backed by sustained investment
To implement the Law, Castilla-La Mancha launched the Regional Strategy against Depopulation 2021-2031, which serves as the main operational framework for addressing demographic challenges in rural areas. The Strategy adopts a multi-sector approach and includes more than 200 measures supported by an investment of over EUR 3 billion.
The Strategy ensures that legislative commitments are translated into concrete actions across sectors, including transport, digital infrastructure, housing, entrepreneurship and access to services. This integrated approach aligns with the objectives of the rural vision and Pact, which promotes coordinated, territorial and multi-level responses to rural challenges.
More information on Castilla-La Mancha’s Rural Pact implementation progress
The region has complemented this strategic framework with significant financial resources. Between 2022 and 2024 alone, Castilla-La Mancha allocated EUR 5.144 billion to measures aimed at addressing depopulation.
Delivering tangible improvements in rural services, connectivity and opportunities
The implementation of the Strategy has resulted in practical improvements in infrastructure, services and economic opportunities across rural areas.
- Access to services and mobility
Demand-Responsive Transport services have been introduced to improve mobility in sparsely populated areas, benefiting 147 528 users. In parallel, the opening of 106 early childhood education centres has created 2 162 places, improving access to essential services for families.
- Digital connectivity
Significant progress has been made in digital infrastructure. High-speed fibre broadband has reached 943 towns, while 5G coverage has been extended to 1 001 municipalities, strengthening access to digital services and supporting economic activity.
- Rural entrepreneurship and employment
Entrepreneurship support grants have benefitted 5 600 individuals, helping to create and sustain economic activity in rural areas. The agricultural sector has also been strengthened, with more than 5 000 young farmers entering the profession, contributing to economic and generational renewals.
- Fiscal incentives and housing access
Tax deductions introduced under the Depopulation Law have enabled residents in affected areas to deduct a total of EUR 145 million for effective residence, housing purchase or renovation, and relocation costs. These measures have helped reduce barriers to living and working in rural municipalities.
Strong implementation progress confirmed by mid-term review
In 2025, Castilla-La Mancha conducted the first mid-term review of the Regional Strategy against Depopulation, involving extensive institutional and social participation. The review confirmed significant progress. This level of implementation demonstrates the region’s capacity to translate policy commitments into concrete actions and measurable results.
Within the first third of the Strategy’s timeframe:
- 52% of the 210 measures included in the Strategy have already been implemented
- 96% of the measures have been launched
Positive demographic trends and renewed population growth
Since the adoption of the Depopulation Law and the implementation of the Strategy in 2021, Castilla-La Mancha’s depopulated areas have recorded a positive migration balance of 20 236 people. This means that one in every five people moving to the region has settled in municipalities previously affected by depopulation.
As a result, demographic decline has been reversed in many small municipalities, which are now beginning to regain population. In areas of extreme depopulation, population growth has reached 1.8%, comparable to the growth recorded in urban areas in recent years. This marks a significant shift compared to previous decades, when rural population decline was persistent.
These results demonstrate the impact of sustained policy intervention, investment and coordinated governance in supporting rural revitalisation.
Adapting to emerging challenges and strengthening rural resilience
Following the mid-term review, Castilla-La Mancha has introduced 13 additional measures to address emerging challenges, particularly in housing availability and rural service provision. New initiatives include:
- A dedicated housing programme for rural municipalities
- A flat-rate scheme for self-employed workers
- Financing support for entrepreneurs and small rural cooperatives
- The introduction of transport passes
- Support for cultural and leisure activities
- Development of urban and rural development agendas in depopulated areas
- Promotion of energy communities
These measures aim to further strengthen economic opportunities, improve quality of life and ensure the long-term sustainability of rural territories.
A sustained policy framework for long-term rural revitalisation
Castilla-La Mancha’s experience demonstrates the importance of combining legislative action, strategic planning and sustained financial investment to address demographic challenges in rural areas.
By establishing a legal framework, implementing a comprehensive strategy and allocating significant financial resources, the region has created the conditions necessary to reverse demographic decline and support rural development. Its continued engagement with the Rural Pact reinforces this approach, contributing to broader European efforts to strengthen rural territories and ensure their long-term resilience.
Author: Jesús Alique, Commissioner for Demographic Change, Castilla-La Mancha Government