27 towns on the decline

DESPITE Baleares being a popular destination for immigrants in the last decade, 27 towns in the region are losing population.

According to figures published by the National Statistics Institute (INE), the population of Baleares in January 2012 was 1,119,439, just 0.57 per cent more than 12 months earlier. That increase was mainly down to Palma’s growth. The city now has a population of 407,648. On the other hand Calvia has suffered the biggest population loss with 1,337 fewer residents in a year, 2.55 per cent of the total, and Capdepera had an annual drop of 427,

The region’s population drop does not follow a pattern, as both coastal tourist towns – including Manacor, Muro and Son Servera – as well as more traditional inland ones – including Campanet, Buger or Lloseta – are affected. The population drop seems to affect mainly smaller towns, including Ariany, Banyalbufar, Deia, Escorca, Estellencs and Fornalutx.