Majorca Population: Approaching 1 Million Residents

Demographics of the Balearic Crown Jewel

According to Spain's Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE), the island of Majorca (Mallorca) reached a population of 998,700 on January 1, 2022—nearing the 1 million milestone.

Recent Growth

• 2021: 983,850
• 2022: 998,700
• Annual Increase: ~1.5% (14,850 people)
• Density: ~250/km² (3,640 km² area)

Drivers of Growth

• International Migration: EU retirees, remote workers, seasonal workers
• Domestic Migration: Mainland Spaniards seeking quality of life
• Natural Increase: Modest; births slightly exceed deaths
• Tourism Economy: 10M+ annual visitors drive service-sector jobs

Population Distribution

• Palma (Capital): ~420,000 (metro ~560,000) — 42% of island
• Key Municipalities: Calvià (50K), Manacor (45K), Llucmajor (40K), Marratxí (38K), Inca (34K)
• Rural/Interior: Declining or stable; aging populations

Seasonal Swell

Summer population doubles or triples with tourists (hotels, rentals, second homes). Infrastructure designed for peak capacity.

Challenges

• Housing affordability (locals priced out)
• Water scarcity (desalination expansion)
• Waste/traffic at peak
• Balancing tourism vs. resident quality of life

Context

• Largest Balearic Island (by area and population)
• Spain's 7th largest island population (after Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Mallorca, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, La Palma, Ibiza)
• INE updates annually; next census 2031

Majorca's near-million population reflects its evolution from agricultural island to Mediterranean lifestyle destination—with all the opportunities and pressures that entails.