The number of residents in Tenerife and the Canary Islands in 2023 increases, according to the data, published by the Instituto Nacional de Estadística.
he Canary Islands grew by 25,738 inhabitants in 2023, bringing the total to 2,238,754. The primary reason for this population growth lies in foreign immigration. In Spain, the population increased by 1.1%, now totaling 48,619,695 inhabitants. On the Canary Islands, the largest increases were among Colombians and Peruvians, while the British and Romanian populations decreased.
The figures were recently published by the Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE) and are based on the 2024 census. This statistic is compiled annually from administrative data.
Increase in Foreign Residents
The growth in the number of residents in Tenerife in 2023 is largely attributed to the increase in foreign residents, which rose by 14,829 people (+4.71%). In contrast, the growth in the national population was limited to 0.57%, equivalent to 10,909 people. This trend was consistent across all the islands.
In 2023, the population of Spain reached a total of 48,619,695 inhabitants, an increase of 534,334 people (+1.1%). This growth is largely attributed to the arrival of foreign residents, whose numbers rose by 412,662, surpassing 6.5 million for the first time.
One in Three Homes Purchased by Foreigners
Among the population, 42,117,413 individuals held Spanish nationality (86.6%), while 6,502,282 held foreign nationality (13.4%). Compared to the previous year, there was a 6.8% increase in the number of people with foreign nationality.
As of January 1, 2024, Spain’s foreign population stood at 6,502,282 people. This figure is higher than the 6,089,620 in 2023, 5,509,046 in 2022, 5,402,702 in 2021, 5,252,473 in 2011, and 1,572,013 in 2001.
Population Aging and Demographic Shifts
According to the latest census, on January 1, 2024, 20.4% of the population was aged 64 years or older. The dependency ratio for this age group, calculated as the ratio between the population over 64 years old and those aged 16 to 64, stood at 0.31.
The population aged 64 and older increased by 240,592 people in 2024, reaching 20.4%, compared to 19.6% in 2020, 18.5% in 2015, 16.6% in 2005, 15.0% in 1995, 11.8% in 1985, and 10.2% in 1975. On the other hand, in 2023, there was a decrease of 79,965 people (-1.1%) in the population under 16 years old, while the 16 to 64 age group increased by 373,707 (+1.2%).
As of January 1, 2024, Moroccans represented the largest group of foreign residents, with a total of 920,693, followed by Romanians (620,463) and Colombians (587,477).
Strongest Growth Among Colombians and Peruvians
The most significant increases in 2023 were among Colombians, with a growth of 124,566 people, followed by Peruvians (+47,598) and Venezuelans (+47,095). In contrast, the largest decreases were seen among Britons (-11,635), Romanians (-9,292), and Bulgarians (-2,388).
Among the largest groups of foreign residents, Peruvians (+27.7%), Colombians (+27.4%), and Venezuelans (+16.9%) experienced the strongest growth. On the other hand, the sharpest declines were observed among Britons (-4.1%), Bulgarians (-2.1%), and Romanians (-1.5%).
Place of Birth and Population Impact
On January 1, 2024, 43.4% of the population lived in the municipality where they were born, while 21.8% resided in another municipality within the same province. The percentage of individuals born abroad reached 18.2%, compared to 17.1% the previous year.
Of those born abroad, 12.4% came from Morocco, 9.7% from Colombia, and 6.8% from Venezuela.
In 2023, all of Spain’s autonomous communities experienced population growth. The largest absolute increases were recorded in the Comunidad de Madrid (+137,365 people), followed by Catalonia (+110,268) and the Comunidad Valenciana (+103,090).
Demographic Changes by Province
Population growth was observed in nearly all provinces, except for six. Valencia and Madrid saw the largest growth (+2% each), followed by Alicante (+1.9%). On the other hand, Zamora (-0.4%), Jaén (-0.3%), and León (-0.2%) recorded the largest declines.
As of January 1, 2024, 40.2% of Spain’s population lived in municipalities with more than 100,000 inhabitants. In contrast, 16.7% lived in towns with 1,001 to 10,000 inhabitants, while 3.0% resided in areas with fewer than 1,000 inhabitants.
Of Spain’s 8,132 municipalities, 52.9% (4,298 municipalities) experienced population growth or remained stable in 2023. Relatively speaking, the strongest growth was recorded in Torrevieja (+6.7%), Arrecife (+5.1%), and Granadilla de Abona (+3.9%), while the largest decreases occurred in Cádiz (-0.8%), San Fernando (-0.3%), and Getxo (-0.2%).
Find out more about the original population in Tenerife [HERE].
Guy Devos © AI Illustration
The Number of Residents in Tenerife in 2023 ©
More NEWS can be read [HERE].
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