The Canary Islands experienced a significant population increase of 25,738 residents in 2023, reaching a total of 2,238,754 inhabitants as of 1 January 2024, according to data from the Annual Population Census published by the National Statistics Institute (INE). This growth was driven primarily by the rising number of foreign residents.
Population Growth Breakdown
- Foreign Population:
The number of foreign-born residents grew by 14,829 people (+4.71%), contributing the most to the population increase. - National Population:
Residents of Spanish origin also increased, though at a slower rate of 0.57%, adding 10,909 people. - The growth was consistent across all the Canary Islands, reflecting a balanced demographic trend.
Comparison with National Trends
Spain’s overall population grew by 534,334 people (+1.1%) in 2023, reaching a record high of 48,619,695 inhabitants. This increase was also largely attributed to the influx of foreign residents.
Foreign Population in Spain:
The number of foreign nationals increased by 412,662 people (+6.8%), surpassing 6.5 million residents for the first time.
- Most Represented Nationalities:
- Moroccans: 920,693
- Romanians: 620,463
- Colombians: 587,477
- Significant Increases:
- Colombians: +124,566 (+27.4%)
- Peruvians: +47,598 (+27.7%)
- Venezuelans: +47,095 (+16.9%)
- Declines in Some Groups:
- British: -11,635 (-4.1%)
- Romanians: -9,292 (-1.5%)
Demographic Characteristics in the Canary Islands
- Age Distribution:
- The proportion of the population over 64 years of age in the Canary Islands mirrors national trends, standing at 20.4% in 2024, up from 19.6% in 2020 and 18.5% in 2015.
- The dependency ratio of individuals over 64 (compared to those aged 16–64) is 0.31, reflecting an aging population.
- Population by Birthplace:
- 43.4% of residents were born in the same municipality in which they live.
- 18.2% of the population was born abroad, up from 17.1% in 2023.
- Among foreign-born residents, the largest groups come from Morocco (12.4%), Colombia (9.7%), and Venezuela (6.8%).
Regional Insights
Population increases occurred in all of Spain’s autonomous communities, with the Canary Islands following a national trend of steady growth:
- Regional Growth Leaders:
- Madrid: +137,365 people (+2%)
- Catalonia: +110,268 people (+2%)
- Valencian Community: +103,090 people (+2%)
- Municipal Trends:
- Population growth in the Canary Islands was especially notable in Arrecife (+5.1%) and Granadilla de Abona (+3.9%), while declines were observed in some mainland municipalities like Cádiz (-0.8%).
Key Takeaways
The Canary Islands’ population growth reflects a broader trend in Spain, where the increase is largely fuelled by international migration. The rising share of older adults highlights the challenges of an aging population, while the presence of a significant foreign-born community underscores the islands’ role as a key destination for migration. This demographic evolution presents opportunities and challenges for the Canary Islands in terms of infrastructure, services, and cultural integration.
