Canary Islands population increases

The registered population in the Canary Islands increased by 0.3% during last year (2010), to reach 2,125,256 citizens, according to the National Statistics Institute (INE). This means that there are now 6,737 more people than in 2010 when 2,118,519 people lived in islands. Of all residents, 14.4% are foreign nationals. However, for the third consecutive year, the Canary Islands has seen a steady decline in its foreign population. The economic crisis that has brought a sharp decline in employment has meant that between 2009 and January 1, 2011 over 70,000 foreign nationals have left the Canary Islands. As at 1st january 2011 there are 306,307 registered foreigners in the Islands, 1,072 less than the previous year. In 2009 there were 377,000 registered foreigners in the Canary Islands.