If Spain depended on its births, it would be losing population. Births in Spain increased by only 0.4% throughout 2024, while deaths increased by 0.7%. In total, the vegetative growth (that is, the difference between births and deaths) presented a negative balance of 114,937 people at the end of the year. In contrast, the population increased slightly (0.24%) in the country thanks to migratory movements.
In the case of the Canary Islands, throughout 2024, 11,998 births were registered. Of these, 6,541 (54.5%) occurred in the province of Las Palmas. These figures are the lowest in the last five years. In that same period, 17,786 deaths were recorded. Therefore, the vegetative balance of the islands was 6,068 fewer people and a decrease of 0.2% As stated by the National Institute of Statistics, with data updated to January 1, 2025.
In the Canary Islands, the resident foreign population grew below the national average, only 0.14%, with data from the last quarter of 2024. The Canary Islands are one of the entry points for irregular migration to Europe, due to the interest of the European population in moving to the islands or their historical relationship with Latin American countries.
According to INE figures, Lanzarote reached 167,066 residents this January (2,848 more people than nine months ago). According to provisional data, 41,042 of them (24.56%) are of foreign origin.
Among the main nationalities of the migrants who arrived in Spain throughout 2024, people from Colombia, Venezuela, Morocco and Spain stand out. In addition to, to a lesser extent, Peru, Italy, Honduras, Argentina, Ecuador and Ukraine.
The Institute of Statistics states that in 2024, 10.4% of babies were born to mothers aged 40 or older; 9.6% by mothers under 25 years; and the vast majority (80%) by mothers between 25 and 39 years.
