The Comprehensive Plan for the Demographic Challenge of the Valencian Community 2026-2030, a collaboration between the Estepa group of the University of Valencia and the Generalitat, emphasizes the need for data-driven policies. This document addresses depopulation as a cross-cutting problem affecting social cohesion, equal opportunities, and the right to live in any territory with adequate services.
For decades, a significant part of inland Valencia has experienced a constant population decline. The plan identifies low density, negative vegetative growth, aging, and the precariousness of essential services such as educational, health, cultural, social, banking, digital, and transport as characteristics of this demographic challenge.
However, recent data provides a hopeful element: the migratory balance is helping to offset the natural population loss in municipalities at risk of depopulation. Between 2023 and 2024, these municipalities recorded a positive migratory balance of 1,336 people. Notably, 545 people came from other municipalities in the Valencian Community, and 519 from abroad, in addition to 272 arrivals from other autonomous communities.
Migration is not a problem for these small populations. In many cases, it is part of the solution. When few children are born and deaths outnumber births, the arrival of new residents allows for the maintenance of population, activity, and services.
The plan also indicates that, despite this contribution, municipalities at risk of depopulation still have limited attractiveness. The greatest migratory dynamism is concentrated in urban and coastal areas, where there are more job opportunities. This difference requires better targeting of public policies, creating conditions for the integration of the migrant population.
To achieve this, policies are needed to guarantee employment, housing, transport, connectivity, health, education, and social services, as well as effective integration. The PIRD-CV includes specific measures for the immigrant population, such as labor information and guidance, integration and participation actions, training programs on territorial culture, and institutional coordination to promote inclusion and sustainable repopulation.
Demographic policy must be practical and seek the construction of viable communities. If there is no available housing, stable employment, transport, or basic services, integration will be difficult. If these conditions exist, migration can become a real opportunity for the future of inland Valencia.
