Compiled with the help of artificial intelligence, based on Spanish-language information. Source below the article.
Poverty rates entrenched since the pandemic
The latest report on the state of poverty in the Canary Islands shows that the figures have become entrenched since the pandemic, as warned by the vice-president of the European Anti-Poverty Network (EAPN Canarias), Fernando Rodríguez, in the Parliament. Experts agree that the stagnation of the AROPE rate in the Canary Islands (31.2%), the rise in child poverty (at a rate of 41.1%) and the difficulties in meeting housing costs already alert us to the need for urgent measures and to the fact that the elections on 29 November will be key in this regard. “Obviously housing is going to be a central issue in the elections,” said the vice-president of EAPN, who added that a series of other issues such as pensions are emerging during this pre-campaign period. The Network called for a major pact to combat poverty and for greater coordination between public administrations.
More than half struggle to make ends meet
The report highlights other key findings, such as that more than half (53%) of the Canarian population has difficulty making ends meet: more than 1,233,000 people. In addition, 49.9% cannot cope with an unexpected expense. Indeed, another figure that EAPN highlights as one of the most significant is income inequality, since average income per person in the Canary Islands is 1,185 euros a month, that is, 117 euros less than the national average income.
Housing, the main driver of impoverishment
But if there is one relevant conclusion, it is that housing constitutes one of the main factors of impoverishment in the Canary Islands. Some 45.4% of those living in market-price rented accommodation are at risk of poverty or social exclusion. In addition, around 293,000 people are behind on rent or mortgage payments, and severe material and social deprivation affects 18.3% of this group. Another figure that stands out is that 5.1% of the general population and 16.9% of people in poverty spend a high proportion of their income on housing (equal to or more than 40% of their available income).
Among the factors that have worsened the situation, the report points out that the sale price of housing in 2025 was 74.5% higher than that recorded in 2015. In 2008, the average mortgage payment (664 euros) exceeded the average rent (539 euros), whereas now the tables have turned: the average rent payment reached 588 euros a month, placing it 90 euros above the average mortgage payment (498 euros).
Fuel poverty and unpaid bills
Another issue the report focuses on is fuel poverty. Some 11.1% have fallen behind on electricity, water or gas bills, and 18.9% of residents in the islands say they cannot keep their home at an adequate temperature during the cold months (compared with 15.9% nationally). It was precisely on these figures that the MP Elena Máñez elaborated this week in the Parliament of the Canary Islands, stressing that many families are facing rent arrears because they cannot cope with price rises and have to choose, she recalled, between paying for their housing and other basic needs. She therefore proposed developing the housing supplement provided for in the Canary Islands Citizenship Income Act, but which, after three years in government, Coalición Canaria and the PP have not put into operation. Máñez’s initiative, which called for the payment of that supplement to be made this year, was rejected by Coalición Canaria, the PP, Vox, as well as AHI and ASG. The groups supporting the Government of the Canary Islands tabled amendments for social and labour inclusion pathways, among other issues.
“Inclusion pathways do not replace the Canary Islands income. There are many people in work who fall into poverty when they pay their rent, so that does not replace it, just as the rest of the housing policies do not replace the introduction of the supplement. The law must be complied with; it was now or never, since this is the last budget of the parliamentary term,” said Elena Máñez.
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