Asturias is undergoing a transition from its historical role as a mining and steelmaking hub, with the emerging green energy sector offering new opportunities for growth. At the same time, the region exhibits substantial territorial imbalances between its central metropolitan area which concentrates most infrastructure, facilities, and economic activities, and its more rural, mountainous, and depopulated hinterland. It also faces important human capital challenges, including rural depopulation, high youth unemployment and the migration of young talent. Leveraging regional strengths to unlock Asturias’ growth and attractiveness potential will notably require improving intra-regional digital and transportation infrastructure, strengthening labour market initiatives, expanding access to education and mitigating climate-related risks in a cohesive manner considering the significant intra-regional disparities.
