Population in the Canary Islands passes 2.2 million people

According to the latest data from the National Institute of Statistics (INE), it has been revealed that the population of the Canary Islands has exceeded 2.2 million inhabitants, reaching a total of 2,213,016 at the end of 2023. This represents a growth of 1.2% over the past year, with an increase of 27,409 people compared to the previous count of 2,185,607 inhabitants.

The overall population of Spain has experienced a notable increase of 507,548 people, marking a growth rate of 1.06% and reaching a historical high of 48,592,909 inhabitants. This surge is primarily attributed to the rise in the number of people born abroad, with the percentage of foreigners residing in Spain reaching a record-breaking 13.4% in 2023.

In the specific case of the Canary Islands, the population growth is predominantly driven by a 7.5% increase in people born abroad. The number of people born abroad in the archipelago rose from 292,401 in 2022 to 314,523 in 2023. This demographic shift underlines the region's attractiveness to overseas residents.

Data from the last quarter of 2023 indicates a continual upward trend in the resident population of Spain, with an increase of 85,870 people. This trend has been consistent over the past six quarters, showing interannual growth rates exceeding 1%.

Spain's population growth is largely influenced by the influx of people born abroad, numbering 8,775,213 people, surpassing the population of foreign nationals. The quarter saw an increase of 72,504 foreign residents, bringing the total to 6,491,502 people, constituting 13.4% of the total population, a significant increase from just 4.2% in 2002.

Regarding foreign migrations, prominent nationalities arriving in Spain during the quarter were Colombian, Venezuelan, and Moroccan, with 42,600, 27,300, and 25,800 arrivals respectively. Notable increases in household numbers, up to 19,346,386 households, were also recorded during the fourth quarter, representing an annual growth of 1.28%.

Breaking down population changes by regions and cities, growth was observed in all regions except Andalusia and Extremadura during the fourth quarter of 2023. The largest increases were noted in Melilla, the Community of Madrid, and the Comunitat Valenciana. The Canary Islands registered a modest growth of 0.17%, reflecting the broader national trend of population expansion.