Spain’s smallest towns are growing again. According to the municipal register published by the National Statistics Institute (INE), municipalities with fewer than 5,000 inhabitants have increased their population for seven consecutive years.
The figures
- In 2024, small municipalities gained 22,020 residents.
- Since 2018, their combined population has risen by 163,027.
Natural growth remains negative — more people die than are born in rural Spain — so the increase comes from people moving in. Around 40% of new residents come from other parts of Spain, and the rest from abroad.
What is driving it
Support programmes. Initiatives from public bodies and private organisations offering funding, training and support to rural entrepreneurs are seen as important tools for attracting and keeping residents.
Entrepreneurship. Carlos Ramos, chief executive of Rural Talent, says young people want to stay and give it a try, exploring new kinds of work and bringing innovation to traditional activities.
Jobs. The number of people in work in rural areas has risen since 2018, with a notable increase among women.
Connectivity. Internet access has made it possible to run businesses from small towns that serve customers all over the country.
Voices from rural Spain
Lidia Cerdá, founder of the natural cosmetics brand Aloe Vitae in Alfafara (Alicante), a village of about 400 people, says the internet and social media have transformed her business, allowing her to ship orders across Spain. She wants people to know that the countryside is full of opportunities.
Zuriñe García, who creates social media content for rural businesses, says working with others reduces isolation, while Ernesto Miralta, who runs river tourism experiences in the Alagón valley in Cáceres, describes working outdoors as a luxury.
Not everywhere
The national trend hides big differences. In some regions, including Galicia, Asturias, Extremadura and Castilla y León, many small municipalities are still losing population.
What is needed
Spain’s national strategy on demographic challenges prioritises:
- better connectivity and fair access to services;
- simpler administration;
- cooperation between the public and private sectors;
- local jobs and business opportunities suited to each area.
Entrepreneurs say their main challenges are making themselves known, logistics and the feeling of working alone — all areas where networks and support programmes can help.
