Rising housing costs, changing career expectations and the expansion of remote work are encouraging a growing number of young Spaniards to consider building their future in smaller communities.
Madrid, August 2026.— Rural Spain may be entering a new demographic phase after decades of population decline. A survey by Fotocasa Research indicates that 23% of Spaniards under the age of 25 plan to move to a municipality with fewer than 10,000 residents in the coming months.
Interest in rural living is even broader when aspirations are considered. Around 70% of people under 25 say they would consider living in the countryside, while six in ten Spaniards across all age groups either want to move to a village or are already making plans to do so.
The high cost of housing in major cities has become one of the strongest factors behind this shift. Smaller towns offer more affordable properties, greater access to space and a quieter lifestyle, making them increasingly attractive to younger generations struggling to enter urban housing markets.
The movement, however, extends beyond the search for lower prices. Employment opportunities, public services, internet connectivity, transportation and modern infrastructure will determine whether rural communities can attract new residents permanently rather than experience only a temporary rise in interest.
Among all people currently searching for housing, 13% expect to relocate to a municipality with fewer than 10,000 inhabitants, compared with 11% a year earlier. Another 46% would like to make such a move but have not yet developed a concrete plan.
Employment remains central to the decision. Four percent of prospective rural residents expect to retain their current jobs through remote work, while 9% anticipate changing jobs in order to relocate. Among people under 25, changing employment is more common than relying on remote work.
The trend also extends to those aged between 25 and 34, with 16% planning to move to a smaller municipality. Interest is also increasing among adults between 55 and 75, with 51% saying they would like to live in a village but are not yet able to make the transition.
The Madrid region is leading the shift. Seventeen percent of adults living in the Spanish capital and its surrounding communities expect to move to a rural municipality, motivated by remote-working opportunities, employment changes and the continuing pressure of urban housing costs.
Despite this renewed interest, Spain remains one of the European Union countries with the smallest proportion of rural residents. Only 14% of its population lived in rural areas in 2025, significantly below the levels recorded in countries such as Ireland and Slovenia.
The potential revival of Spain’s depopulated communities will depend on whether growing residential interest is supported by stable employment, essential services and reliable infrastructure. Without those conditions, the desire to leave the city may not develop into a lasting demographic transformation.