Tenerife faces rural depopulation and climate vulnerability

The Canary Islands are facing a demographic paradox characterized by rural depopulation in the north and interior of Tenerife, contrasted with massive population growth in southern tourist hubs. In regions such as Isla Baja, the population has decreased by 2,480 people between 2004 and 2025, according to the Canary Islands Institute of Statistics (ISTAC).

This exodus is driven by several factors, including a lack of generational replacement in agriculture, inherited homes remaining unoccupied, and the sale of properties to foreign buyers for seasonal use. In some municipalities, between 12% and 17.5% of the population is non-Spanish, with significant numbers of German and Italian residents.

Compounding these demographic shifts, research from the University of La Laguna highlights a growing intersection between aging populations and climate vulnerability. The study indicates that areas with the oldest housing stock—often built around 1962—coincide with high concentrations of residents aged 65 and older. These specific zones are also projected to face a higher increase in tropical nights by the end of the century, potentially exacerbating health risks for the elderly due to inadequate housing insulation against rising temperatures.