Santa Cruz de Tenerife 23 Feb. (Europa Press) –
The demographic challenge faced by the islands necessitates a “far more serious, comprehensive” evaluation through “transversal” strategies that extend beyond those pertinent to agricultural areas. In essence, a framework of initiatives that includes reassessing the existing economic model of the islands, predominantly reliant on tourism, as this phenomenon also impacts the outskirts of both tourist and capital cities, as stated by Luis Jerez Darias, a professor of regional geographical analysis at The University of La Laguna.
In a recent interview with Europa Press, the academic from the University of La Laguna elaborates on the current situation. The demographic challenge within the islands is defined by its “diversity” across various islands, regions and even within individual municipalities.
“There is a distinct trend of coastalisation of the population in the municipalities of the Canary Islands, meaning that nearly 80% of the island’s inhabitants are gathered in the 0-500 meter elevation zones. As a result, the interior areas have been neglected, in a depopulation trend that initiated in the 1960s and 70s as residents moved towards the capitals and their surrounding areas, and more recently towards tourist hotspots,” he commented.
Furthermore, the “additional” factor that distinguishes the islands from other Spanish autonomous communities, particularly those in the interior of the mainland, is the occurrence of a floating population. Consequently, the “island factor” has created an “appeal” for migration from around the globe as well as tourism.
Given this demographic backdrop, Jeréz has urged contemplation on the multitude of alternatives to tackle this issue, advocating to extend efforts beyond specific initiatives in rural areas, since the outskirts of tourist and capital cities are also impacted by these demographic trends.
“The Canary Islands no longer experience the depopulation that the region faced in the 1950s; since the late 1960s, there has been an attraction that has led to ongoing population growth,” he noted.
Additionally, it should be considered that the demographics of the Archipelago are, according to him, relatively similar to those in the rest of the country.
Transversal Strategies
Concurrently, the Chamber of Commerce of Santa Cruz de Tenerife has unveiled this week information regarding the Canary Islands’ Economic Cay Skirt. Within this context, the president of the Chamber institution, Santiago Sesé, emphasized that to “thrive properly,” it is essential to “regulate and balance” population growth across the islands.
Consequently, he highlighted the necessity to continue promoting development on the greener islands with initiatives that bolster their competitiveness and impose “limits” on population growth in the most densely populated islands.
He also remarked that over the past 25 years, the population within the Canary Islands has surged by 512,586 residents, of which 245,698 are attributed to Tenerife, with Gran Canaria following at a distance with an increase of 122,782 residents. This disparity between the two capital islands may be elucidated by migration trends, particularly with the influence of the population influx from Venezuela to Tenerife, along with arrivals from Europe, notably British and Italian citizens.
Regarding these “transversal strategies” that need to be adopted to confront the demographic challenge, the ULL expert clarified that these involve creating “considerably broad” approaches tied to the islands’ economic model, which is closely related to the tourism and tertiary sectors, thereby encouraging that “the population relocates to areas with more job opportunities,” such as the municipalities neighbouring large tourist centres, as exemplified by the reception of residents in the municipality of San Isidro in Tenerife.
This manner, the specific initiatives implemented in rural contexts concerning the demographic challenge do not consistently yield the intended impact, either in the short or long term, to mitigate the issues at hand. In fact, the ULL professor illustrates this point with employment schemes that are occasionally launched in the greener islands, where rurality is more pronounced, and which proceed without establishing an “economic framework” that provides adequate opportunities for individuals with specialised training, businesses, and job prospects for local inhabitants or migrants.
