Preparing for Demographic Change in Castilla y León, Spain

Castilla y León, a vast and sparsely populated region in north-central Spain, faces sustained population decline and rapid ageing, and growing pressures on labour markets, public services and infrastructure. Youth outmigration is a particular challenge: people aged 15-29 account for 55% of Castilla y León's net inter-regional mobility, the highest share among Spanish regions. Despite these challenges, the region benefits from a solid economic base and initiatives to retain talent, invest in healthcare, and promote digital and rural revitalisation. The study offers innovative approaches across three dimensions: land-use and spatial planning in geographically fragmented territories; multi-level governance and subnational finance linking regional, municipal and national authorities; and service delivery models ensuring healthcare, childcare, education and transport despite dispersed populations. The analysis integrates data and assessments across these dimensions to identify actionable pathways for demographic resilience, offering insights for shrinking and rural European regions facing similar trends. It shows how strategic adaptation can convert demographic pressures into drivers of sustainable development and regional attractiveness. The report was developed as part of Pillar 2 of the European Commission's Talent Booster Mechanism, supporting regions in training, retaining and attracting people with the necessary skills and competences to mitigate the impact of demographic transition.