Rural Depopulation Phenomenon

Rural depopulation is when large numbers of people move from their homes in country areas to find better-paid jobs in towns and cities, leaving the villages and farms vacant.

Historically, almond farming on the higher ground and cultivation of wheat, corn, beans, sunflowers, and high-quality olive oil in the river valleys were successful agricultural activities in the Garrigues area of Spain.

The decline in population in the Garrigues area of Spain was due to the decreasing profitability of farming, growing unemployment, and the resulting migration of people to cities in search of work.