Keys to mitigating rural depopulation. The case of Castilla-La Mancha (Spain)

Rural areas are undergoing a process of depopulation, especially in the smallest rural municipalities that are at great risk of population decline. In addition, they usually have very low population density. These factors determine their socio-economic development and amount to serious obstacles for entrepreneurial initiatives based on demand within the rural territory itself. This study therefore aims to find the main factors for preserving the rural population in Castilla-La Mancha, an eminently rural area. It specifies a Quantile Regression model using data from 2023. The results point to the need for more effective rural policies, for prioritising the role of women and for maintaining basic services.