The recent seismic movements in Venezuela have caused significant concern among the Venezuelan community settled in the Canary Islands. According to data from the National Institute of Statistics and the Canary Islands Institute of Statistics, between 84,000 and 88,000 individuals of Venezuelan origin currently reside in the archipelago, a figure that fluctuates due to internal migration to other parts of Spain.
This community constitutes the largest foreign population in the islands, reflecting the historical ties between Canary Islands and Venezuela. While Canarian emigration to the Caribbean country was predominant in the 20th century, the trend has reversed in the 21st century, with thousands of Venezuelans arriving on the islands, many fleeing the political and economic situation in their country.
Family roots and the ease of legalizing residency have been key factors for integration. The islands of the western province have traditionally been the main destination for this migration.
As of January 1, 2025, the total population of the Canary Islands stood at 2,258,866 people, a 0.9% increase from the previous year, which is lower than the national average (1.1%). 23.5% of residents in the islands were born outside Spain, totaling 529,739 individuals, a 4.9% rise compared to 2024.
3.9% of the Canarian population was born in Venezuela, making it the most represented foreign country of origin, followed by Cuba (2.8%), Colombia (2.4%), and Italy (1.9%). In the last year, the number of residents born in Venezuela increased by 5,712 people.
Regarding island distribution, Fuerteventura leads in the percentage of foreign-born population (39.3%), followed by Lanzarote (34.4%) and El Hierro (31.9%). During 2024, Tenerife gained the most population (7,280), followed by Gran Canaria (5,605) and Lanzarote (3,648).
Municipalities such as Yaiza (Lanzarote) and Hermigua (La Gomera) recorded the highest percentage population increases (4.5% and 4.3% respectively). In contrast, municipalities like Adeje, Arona, Santiago del Teide, and La Oliva have a foreign population proportion exceeding 50%.
