The regulatory response of the Spanish Autonomous Communities to the demographic challenge and depopulation

Abstract

Objectives: the work carries out an approach to the different legislation on depopulation, depopulation, territorial balance or demographic challenge approved, or in process, in the different Autonomous Communities, in order to know the different approaches, or accents, given to respond to this challenge of the territories. Methodology: the usual methodology in legal sciences has been used; that is, study, mainly of legislation and doctrine. Results: in the first part of the work, a synthetic framing is made of the challenge that depopulation poses for the territory, and how this reality has become very present on the political agenda. In the second, the different legislative responses given in six Autonomous Communities that have legislated specifically on this reality are analyzed. Conclusions: the CCAA that have legislated have opted for broad laws, of principles and strategies, without creating effective subjective rights of citizens who live in territories at risk of depopulation, the most relevant contribution being positive discrimination of the territories and their inhabitants , specified in some Autonomous Communities in tax benefits.