Prohens: Population growth in the Balearics is “unsustainable”

The President of the Balearic Government, Margalida Prohens, focused the general policy debate, held yesterday in the Balearic Parliament, on what she described as “the main challenge facing the Balearic Islands”: demographic growth. The president warned that the archipelago is experiencing an “unsustainable” population increase and has become one of the regions of Spain under the greatest demographic pressure. “We cannot assume unlimited population growth,” she stated.

Prohens pointed out that since the year 2000 the population of the islands has risen from 845,000 to more than 1.24 million inhabitants — an increase of almost 50%, well above the Spanish and European averages. She warned that if the trend continues, in fifteen years the Balearic Islands could gain another 230,000 residents, creating unprecedented demographic pressure.

In response, Prohens announced a strategic shift to address demographic growth, structured around three main pillars:

Meeting the needs arising from the growth already experienced.
Slowing the current population increase.
Protecting the identity, culture and character of the Balearic Islands.

Prohens speaking during the general policy debate of the Balearic Islands. Photo: Balearic Government.

Although the president announced this strategic change, she did not present specific measures to curb or control demographic growth; instead, the initiatives focused on adapting public services and safeguarding quality of life in a growing population.

Government initiatives

Housing

Grants of up to €10,000 for the purchase of a first home for residents under 40 who have lived in the Balearic Islands for at least five years.
Amendment of the fiscal regulations to raise the threshold for subsidised homes from €270,000 to €378,000, maintaining the elimination of the property transfer tax for under-30s and a 50% reduction for those under 36, large families, single-parent families and people with disabilities. The measure currently benefits 1,500 young people.

Employment, tourism and innovation

Pilot scheme to convert seasonal workers with fixed-term contracts into permanent employees, encouraging year-round business activity.
Creation of a regional committee to combat labour fraud and unfair competition.
Talks with shipping companies to limit the number of cruise ships calling at Palma and to prioritise lower-emission vessels.
Investment of €240 million in technological innovation, including €3 million in participatory loans to support tech entrepreneurship.
The Employment Service will tighten its assessment criteria and link benefits to personalised employment plans. The residency requirement to access the guaranteed social income will also be extended from one to three years.

Health

Strategic Mental Health Plan with a community-based and coordinated approach.
Pilot programme for psychological care in primary healthcare centres, adding 16 new psychologists: 9 in Mallorca, 4 in Ibiza and Formentera, and 3 in Menorca. The programme will be evaluated in 2026 before being expanded to all health centres.
Drafting of a new pharmacy law to modernise pharmaceutical regulation.

Education

Excellence scholarships for fourth-year secondary students: this year, 25 students are studying for a term in Ireland with all expenses covered; next year the exchange will take place in Canada.
Implementation of the Baccalaureate of Excellence in the 2026-2027 academic year to provide more specialised education.

Social services and dependency care

Emergency plan worth €17.5 million to cut waiting times for dependency and disability assessments to six months.
The plan includes additional assessment teams for 21,600 evaluations over two years, 23 new permanent positions, remote assessments via videoconference and specific protocols for urgent cases.
Expansion of the Barnahus model across all islands to support children who are victims of sexual violence.
Preparation of a new disability law.

Culture

Support for Palma’s bid to become the European Capital of Culture 2031.
Launch of the first International Contemporary Art Fair in Palma in spring 2026.