Depopulation

Many rural areas across the globe face problems with depopulation; the younger people moving to the cities, while the old people stay in the villages with no one to take over after they leave this life.

The Spanish country side faces enormous problems with this phenomenon, affecting infrastructure, education, employment, etc. Many villages in the Spanish Pyrenees are completely deserted. And although it makes for perfect ecotourism to explore these abandoned villages (a personal favourite, as per these pictures), it is of course a disaster.  

In an attempt to fight depopulation and turn the process, the Council of Teruel started a campaign focussed specifically at higher educated women, to remain in the rural area by offering incentives and facilitate living. 

The accompanying festival was appropriately named Boina Fest, as with depopulation we also see a reducing number of boineros!