Recuperación demográfica en los municipios rurales de la “Montaña de Alicante”. Nuevas tendencias en una población fuertemente envejecida

For most of the twentieth century, rural exodus played the key role in demographic tendencies in the rural towns of the «Montana de Alicante». However, according to recent population counts, most of these towns are now experiencing a demographic recovery, although some areas are still in the midst of a rural exodus. This dual behaviour reveals the new processes currently occurring in rural settings. The revaluing of rural areas has contributed to the appearance of new functions there and to the fact that they are now considered to be ideal living spaces since they are peaceful and close to nature, in clear contrast to urban areas. This recovery is due to the phenomenon of in-migration, although