The average age of the population of Lanzarote has increased since the island was declared a Biosphere Reserve in 1991. Specifically, 30 years ago, it had a "relatively young" population between 15 and 29 years old. Currently, the population pyramid is concentrated in the ages between 40 and 54 years. This is reflected in the report Joint indicator system of Lanzarote and Menorca, on the occasion of the anniversary of the declaration as Biosphere Reserves (1993-2023) of both islands.
Since the beginning of the 2000s, the average age of the island has aged. So much so that it went from 33 years to 40. In the case of Menorca, from 38 to 43. "In Lanzarote, the percentage of people over 64 years has practically doubled," according to the research. In the last three decades, the number of elderly people on the Canary Island has grown from 7.7% to 13.3%.
Although the population has aged, the coverage of social services "does not present improvements according to the development and socio-demographic composition". So the elderly population is not having all their needs met, which poses challenges in "medical care, social services and welfare." For example, home help services for the elderly have decreased in both Lanzarote and Menorca.
Although migrations mean the rejuvenation of the population, both Lanzarote and Menorca have structures of "mature population", where young people decrease and older people increase.
According to these data, the aging rate of Lanzarote (proportion of population over 64 years over the population under 16) is already at 83.1 and rises to 122.3 in Menorca.
This aging of the population joins the increase of inhabitants, the addition of the anthropic pressure of visitors and tourists that suppose "true challenges in terms of sustainability, infrastructure, consumption of resources, housing and environmental protection".
In conclusion, aging has social and economic implications because it requires more attention and resources to care for the elderly. From specialized medical care services to social support programs to ensure quality of life. In addition, it will have an impact on the labor market: the more aging, the lower the participation rate in the labor force.