Living

The Spanish government wants all schools to reduce class sizes by 2031, but the Canary Islands are already well ahead of schedule. The region has set its own earlier target of the 2027/28 academic year, with a plan costing over 92 million euros to hire new teachers and create more classes.

The agri-food chain in the Canary Islands continues to face rising costs from fuel, energy, and raw materials linked to the conflict in the Middle East. Transport fuel alone has risen by 14% since May, and combined energy and transport costs could reach 70 million euros. Despite these pressures, the annual food price increase remains low at 2.2%, but uncertainty over the conflict’s duration is causing growing concern.

Nearly half of all residents in the Canary Islands have never consumed alcohol, according to a new health survey. The findings show Canarians are the least likely in Spain to drink, with young people driving a significant decline in consumption over the past two decades.

El Ministerio de Vivienda ha aprobado por unanimidad el Plan Estatal de Vivienda 2026-2030, que asigna 371 millones de euros a Canarias. El plan triplica los fondos gestionados por las comunidades autónomas y prioriza la construcción, rehabilitación y protección de viviendas.

The Canary Islands Parliament has approved a new law on island councils which will not alter current legislation to delay the expropriation of private water wells and galleries planned for 2040. The law also eliminates the possibility for the regional government to suspend or revoke delegated powers, giving island councils full authority over their competences. The reform, which garnered significant cross-party support, also includes a new concept of extraterritoriality allowing councils to act outside their island boundaries.

New build property prices in the Canary Islands have risen 12% in the last year, nearly three points above the national average of 9.1%. Only Aragón and Asturias come close, with increases of 11.6%. The sharp quarterly spike, recorded in the first three months of 2026, is driving the archipelago’s steep annual figure.

New figures show 58,464 homes are planned in large developments across the Canary Islands, with over 5,000 ready to build immediately. The data from the Ministry of Housing reveals how the archipelago could ease its housing emergency, but construction has stalled for various reasons.