Mapping territorial attractiveness in Spain : a multidimensional index for depopulation assessment
García Bonilla, Lídia (Universidad de Salamanca)
Rey Poveda, Luis Alberto del (Universidad de Salamanca)
Blanes, Amand (Centre d'Estudis Demogràfics)
Centre d'Estudis Demogràfics

Date:	2025
Abstract:	Depopulation has become a critical issue in Spain due to its widespread impact and severe socio-economic consequences. Despite ongoing efforts by scientists and policymakers to address this challenge, effective solutions remain elusive. The concept of "territorial attractiveness" has gained traction in the literature, proposing that depopulation results from the absence of key attributes that appeal to both current residents and potential newcomers. Building on this framework, this study introduces the Spanish Municipal Attractiveness Index (SMAI), a composite index designed to assist researchers and policymakers in evaluating municipalities currently or potentially affected by depopulation. The SMAI was computed for all 8,131 Spanish municipalities by aggregating 41 variables in 7 dimensions using the Adjusted Mazziotta-Pareto Index. The findings confirm a strong relationship between territorial attractiveness and depopulation risk and reveal that geographically proximate areas tend to exhibit similar attractiveness levels. Analyses show that low attractiveness is predominantly concentrated in certain inland regions, with key risk factors including rurality, location outside urban areas, small population size, and high altitude. The results also underscore the need for a local and multidimensional approach to depopulation, as broader regional analyses and single-factor explanations might fail to capture the complexity of the phenomenon.
Grants:	Agencia Estatal de Investigación PLEC2021-008041 Agencia Estatal de Investigación PID2021-123875NB-I00 Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades FPU-23-02945
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Language:	Anglès
Document:	Article ; recerca ; Versió publicada
Subject:	Territorial attractiveness ; Depopulation ; Multidimensional index ; Municipalities ; Spatial analysis ; Spain
Published in:	Social Indicators Research, Vol. 180 (2025) , p. 1815-1851, ISSN 0303-8300

DOI: 10.1007/s11205-025-03727-2

Postprint 39 p, 1.8 MB

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Research literature > UAB research groups literature > Research Centres and Groups (research output) > Social and Legal Sciences > Centre for Demographic Studies (CED-CERCA)
Articles > Research articles
Articles > Published articles