Los Silos Launches Pilot Project to Combat Rural Depopulation in Canary Islands

The Tenerife municipality of Los Silos is launching a pilot project, backed by the Canary Islands government and the local council, to combat population decline. The initiative aims to create a roadmap that could serve as a model for 46 other rural towns across the archipelago facing similar challenges with aging populations.

The situation in Los Silos is urgent: one-quarter of its residents are over 65, making it the oldest population on the island. With an unemployment rate near 18%—hitting young people particularly hard—and an economy 40% dependent on the primary sector, the town needs a change. The proposed plan suggests diversifying the economy by embracing digitalization, promoting sustainable tourism, restoring local architecture, and revitalizing the area’s trail networks.

The strategy is divided into two main areas. The first focuses on the environment, prioritizing the restoration of rural ecosystems and a shift toward renewable energy. The second focuses on the economy and society, highlighting the need for housing to keep residents in the town, while also boosting the primary sector and sports as ways to create activity.

The success of these measures will depend on a collaborative process between the government and local citizens. At the project's launch, the mayors of Los Silos, Buenavista del Norte, El Tanque, and Garachico stressed that the plan’s effectiveness relies on turning these recommendations into concrete projects and securing the necessary funding. By involving the community in the development of public spaces and resource management, officials hope to ensure these changes are sustainable for the long term.