The economy of Vilar de Santos is traditionally based on agriculture and livestock farming, with cereal crops, potatoes, and pastures for cattle and sheep. In recent decades, the town has experienced depopulation and an aging population, common challenges in many rural municipalities of the province. Even so, the community maintains cooperatives and small agricultural initiatives that strive to revitalize economic activity and preserve the land. Culturally, Vilar de Santos preserves Galician traditions such as patron saint festivals, folk music, and local cuisine based on regional products. The surrounding area features rural churches and elements of ethnographic heritage (granaries, thatched houses, and other traditional buildings), and its natural environment offers opportunities for hiking and enjoying the tranquil landscapes typical of inland Galicia.