The Impact of Traditional Internal Migration in Spain (1875–1975)

Traditional Internal Migrations in Spain (1875–1975)

Traditional Internal Migrations (MI) took place between the last third of the nineteenth century and 1975. These movements were primarily undertaken by peasants seeking work in other agricultural areas or in newly industrialized cities.

Defining Internal Migration Types

We distinguish two main types of internal migration that affected the population:

Seasonal and Temporary Migration

This type of migration was typical of the peasant population. Its peak involved seasonal travel to other rural areas for agricultural work, such as harvesting or the collection of olives.

The Rural Exodus (1900–1975)

The Rural Exodus was a massive migration from rural areas to urban centers, occurring primarily between 1900 and 1975. Migrants originated mainly from areas characterized by primary economic activities and high vegetative growth, such as Galicia, Peninsular Andalusia, and the Oriental Interior.

Initially, migrants headed toward the industrial areas of Catalonia and Madrid. Later, they moved to burgeoning tourist areas, including the Mediterranean coast, the Balearic Islands, and the Canary Islands, seeking better job opportunities, improved standards of health, and cultural and leisure activities.

Stages of the Rural Exodus

1. First Third of the 20th Century: The exodus was encouraged by job offers in industrial zones and the rise of public works during the dictatorship of Primo de Rivera (PR).
2. During the Civil War and its Aftermath: The rural exodus stagnated. Cities suffered from major supply problems, and the labor supply in industry was reduced due to war destruction and difficult reconstruction. The Franco regime also encouraged the permanence of the rural population in the countryside.
3. Between 1950 and 1975: The rural exodus reached its maximum volume. The causes included population growth, industrial development plans, and the boom of tourism on the Mediterranean coast and islands.
4. From 1975 Onward: The rural exodus declined. Due to the industrial crisis, traditionally high-emigration areas reduced their output to affected industrial zones. Currently, the largest migration flows match the Mediterranean coast and the Canary Islands, thanks to tourism and export agriculture.

Major Consequences of Internal Migration

Traditional internal migrations, especially the rural exodus, have had major consequences across several spheres:

• Demographically:

  These migrations are responsible for imbalances in population distribution. They have also influenced the structure by sex and age, raising the index of masculinity in some areas of emigration (hampering the formation of new families) and causing the aging of the population in rural areas. Conversely, they caused the rejuvenation of the urban population, as migrants were often young people.

• Economically:
  • In rural areas, migration initially permitted an increase in the resources of the remaining population.
  • In cities, massive immigration provoked congestion and diseconomies, leading to problems related to urban land, housing shortages, traffic circulation, and school places.
• Socially:

  There were significant problems of assimilation, as migrants transitioned from a traditional rural society to a competitive urban society.

• Environmentally:

  In the migrants' areas of origin, ecosystems were abandoned and deteriorated, particularly in traditional mountain regions.