The Spanish government's plan to increase the number of new businesses in rural areas by 30% has faced a serious obstacle. Despite cheap land and tax incentives, companies cannot find employees due to a severe shortage of basic infrastructure in the regions.
Candidates are rejecting jobs in the provinces en masse due to the lack of affordable rental housing, schools, and a developed transport network. The situation is exacerbated by a deep demographic crisis: the share of the rural population in the country has dropped to 20%, and there is now only one young professional for every three pensioners.
While Madrid accumulates a quarter of internal labor migration, foreign professionals are becoming the main driver for saving the economy. Expats and migrants already make up more than 14% of all employed people in the country and provided 40% of the local labor market growth last year.
Candidates are rejecting jobs in the provinces en masse due to the lack of affordable rental housing, schools, and a developed transport network. The situation is exacerbated by a deep demographic crisis: the share of the rural population in the country has dropped to 20%, and there is now only one young professional for every three pensioners.
While Madrid accumulates a quarter of internal labor migration, foreign professionals are becoming the main driver for saving the economy. Expats and migrants already make up more than 14% of all employed people in the country and provided 40% of the local labor market growth last year.
