Peter Nientied 

La Bureba comarca is located in the province of Burgos. Covering an area of 1.064 km², it had around 10.000 inhabitants in 2025. This marks a steady population decline: approximately 12.500 residents in 2010, 18.500 in 1980, and about 32.000 in 1960. This trend is not unique to La Bureba; similar patterns can be observed elsewhere in the province. For example, the comarca of Las Merindades, located to the north, shows comparable demographic developments. The causes of this decline are largely consistent with those affecting rural regions more broadly.

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In La Bureba, however, there is a more pronounced form of what is often referred to as 'bipolarisation': a modest decline—or even growth—in the larger town, contrasted with sharp population losses in smaller villages. Briviesca, the main town, had about 6,400 inhabitants in 2024. Its population stood at 7,800 in 2010, around 6,000 in 1980, and roughly 3,900 in 1960. It is expected that Briviesca will maintain its current population level, meaning that more than 60% of the comarca’s residents now live there.

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Briviesca has traditionally been an important agricultural centre and is often referred to as the regional 'capital of cereals.' The town is located along the N-1 road and has good access to the AP-1 highway connecting Irún and Madrid, which runs through La Bureba. Briviesca has benefited from developments in logistics. Beyond agriculture—primarily cereal production—economic activity remains limited in La Bureba. The plains of the comarca are used for wind farms. Rural tourism is present in places such as Oña, known for its historic monastery and charming old town, and Poza de la Sal, which features the remains of a historic settlement and an attractive old centre.

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The average age in the smaller villages is high, and further population decline is expected. It is sometimes said—ironically or perhaps pragmatically—that while Briviesca may continue to develop, the rest of the comarca risks becoming an open-air museum. The provincial government has introduced a strategy for La Bureba (Bureba viva y dinámica), allocating €6,8 million for the period 2026–2029, primarily aimed at promoting rural tourism. A question is how much impact this modest funding can achieve. The strategy focuses on boosting tourism and attracting digital nomads—objectives that are shared by many rural regions.

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