More than 280,000 dependent people, 25,755 in the Canary Islands, are on waiting lists to be assessed or to receive a service or benefit to which they are entitled, according to the latest report from the State Observatory for Dependency.
The report, prepared by the Association of Directors and Managers in Social Services with data from the dependency care system up to October 1, 2025, reflects an increase of 13,695 people on the waiting list in the first 9 months of the year.
In total, it quantifies 284,020 people on waiting lists: 133,414 awaiting assessment and 150,606 waiting for benefits and services to which they are entitled.
Two out of every three people on the waiting list are in five communities: Catalonia (81,894 people), Andalusia (51,547 people), Valencian Community (29,747 people), Canary Islands (25,755) and Murcia (16,348).
Regarding the number of applicants, 12.5% of people would be waiting for some type of procedure. The Canary Islands (33%), Murcia (22.4%), and Catalonia (19.9%) have the highest percentage of people waiting, while Cantabria (3.1%), Galicia (2%), and Navarra (2%) have the lowest percentage.
During that waiting period, 25,060 people have died this year (13,713 unassessed and 11,347 awaiting the benefit they were entitled to). Two out of three people died in four communities: Catalonia (6,851), Andalusia (5,292), Valencian Community (2,290) and the Canary Islands (1,904), the association reports.
It also regrets the increase in the average processing time of a file from 334 days at the beginning of the year to 349 days in September 2025 (15 days more). In three communities, it takes around 500 days (Murcia, Andalusia, and the Canary Islands).
81,371 more people served than in 2024
According to the association of social service professionals, the increase in system beneficiaries is occurring by recognizing cheaper benefits and reducing the number of places in residences (804 fewer) and day centers (969 fewer). There are 149,316 more benefits and services in 2025.
Although 34% of neglected individuals are highly or severely dependent, meaning they have extensive and ongoing support needs.
At the close of September, there were 1,726,288 people in Spain with recognized dependency status, 81,371 more people receiving care than in 2024.
This means that 3.5% of the Spanish population needs support of varying intensity to carry out basic daily life activities.
Without Telecare, Half of Those Cared for at Home
56% of people receiving care in their homes do not have a telecare service. 65,647 beneficiaries have it as the sole benefit of the system; 42% of these are in the Community of Madrid.
The regions that have seen the largest increase in the number of people entitled to benefits in 2025 were: the Canary Islands (22.6%) and Galicia (14%). Conversely, in La Rioja (1.4%) and Cantabria (0.5%), the number of people entitled decreases.
Of all the people who benefit from a benefit or service, almost two-thirds are women (62%) and one-third (37%) are men. Three out of four recognized dependents are over 65 years of age, and those over 80 account for 53% of the total.