Immigration and Local Endogenous Development in Rural Border Areas: A Comparative Study of Two Left-Behind Spanish Regions

Despite longstanding concerns about regional inequalities in both national and EU policy, the concept of ‘left-behindness’ has gained prominence in public and political discourse due to widening social and spatial disparities. A defining characteristic of left-behind areas is outmigration, ageing, and depopulation, yet the impact of incoming mobility remains underexplored. To bridge this gap, this article explores the role of international immigration in sustaining local economies in two left-behind border regions of Spain—Ribagorza (Huesca) and Sayago (Zamora). Grounded in the migration-development nexus, it argues that mobility can drive economic, social, and demographic revitalization, fostering sustainability and strengthening the social fabric of these rural communities. This research identified the case study areas based on their low local human development index, which integrates quantitative demographic, social, and economic indicators. It further examines migration dynamics through a qualitative approach, gathering insights via in-depth interviews. The paper analyses how the borderland conditions in those left-behind areas of Ribagorza and Sayago have influenced their demographic dynamics, with a particular focus on recent migration trends. It also examines the influence of local governance in shaping economic and social initiatives, such as entrepreneurship and immigration policies. The comparative analysis of Ribagorza and Sayago underscores the interplay between economy, migration, and local governance in shaping rural development in border left-behind areas. Ribagorza’s stronger governance structures, economic diversification, and higher immigrant integration have contributed to modest population stabilization. Sayago, despite its border advantages and cross-border labour exchanges, struggles with weaker governance, limited economic opportunities, and a rapidly ageing population.