The Canary Islands have a population of 2.2 million. This makes them the 8th most populous autonomous community in Spain. They contain less than five percent of Spain's total population. The Islands have a density of 290 inhabitants per square kilometer, which is one of the highest densities of any Spanish autonomous community. It is also worth noting that the Canary Islands are the most populous special territory of the European Union.
The population of the Canary Islands has been increasing slowly for hundreds of years. In terms of the population's growth rate, the Canary Islands have long lagged behind Spain. In fact, the Canary Islands have actually decreased in population several times over the past decade or so. The population decreased by 1.69% in 2011 as compared to 2012. The population of the Canary Islands also decreased by 1.26% in 2018 as compared to 2017. However, the population has increased slightly over the last several years. 2019 saw an increase of 1.21%, while 2021 saw an increase of 0.45%.
The population of these Islands is expected to increase, with the Canary Islands population 2023 being slightly larger than the current population. However, the rate of growth will be very slow. The population of the Canaries is projected to increase by just over 100,000 by 2031. This is a growth rate of less than five percent.
While this growth rate is slow compared to the growth of the global population, it is still relatively quick by Spanish standards. In fact, the Canary Islands are one of only six Spanish communities that are expected to see population growth rates by 2031. This is because both the birth and death rates and Spain have decreased until they are nearly identical. In fact, the population of the Canary Islands is only expected to grow due to immigration.
The Canary Islands have long had a very diverse population. Due to their location off the coast of Africa, these islands have had a large population of African immigrants for hundreds of years. This population has increased since Spain joined the EU, as the Canary Islands are closer to Africa than almost any other EU territory. The Canary Islands are also home to many expatriates from Italy, Germany, and the United Kingdom.