Les villes moyennes de l’intérieur de l’Andalousie : entre résilience et la menace de récession démographique

Depopulation, aging, and structural imbalances are among the main demographic challenges facing Andalusia, particularly in its inland areas. Although medium-sized cities have traditionally played a key role as nodes of territorial cohesion and as buffers against rural decline, they have recently begun to show signs of demographic vulnerability. This study analyses the degree to which these cities are exposed to regressive demographic processes. The research focuses on 40 medium-sized cities in inland Andalusia and their respective areas of influence, distinguishing between core urban centres, the functional networks they articulate, and their surrounding rural environments. A quantitative methodology is applied, based on the Wrocław Taxonomic Method, integrating seven indicators to produce a synthetic index of demographic vulnerability. The results show that, while medium-sized cities generally present better demographic conditions than their rural surroundings, a significant number are exhibiting signs of decline. This highlights the need to strengthen their role through targeted policies for demographic revitalization, improved public services, and enhanced territorial connectivity. Revitalizing these cities is essential to addressing the demographic challenge in inland Andalusia and to preserving their strategic role in territorial cohesion.