Health in Canary Islands, Spain: official figures
Life expectancy at birth was 82.9 years in 2024 (84 for Spain); 18th highest of 19 autonomous communities in Spain.
How much does the Canary Islands spend on health?
The Canary Islands budgets €4.82 billion for health in 2026, 36.6% of its spending (2nd highest of 17 shares; average 31.4%), 5.2% more than in 2025.
Source: Ministerio de Hacienda · saved copyHow many people are on the surgery waiting list in the Canary Islands?
32,131 patients were waiting for planned surgery in the public health service of the Canary Islands on 31 December 2025, 3.8% of Spain's 853,740; that is 14.6 per 1,000 residents, a rate that ranks 8th lowest of 19 health services.
Source: Ministerio de Sanidad · saved copyHow long is the waiting list for an operation in the Canary Islands?
The average wait for surgery in the Canary Islands was 106 days at the end of 2025 (7th longest of 19), and 17.4% of patients on the list had been waiting more than six months.
Source: Ministerio de Sanidad · saved copyHow long is the wait for knee or hip surgery in the Canary Islands?
Patients waiting for orthopaedic and trauma surgery in the Canary Islands had waited 137 days on average on 31 December 2025.
Source: Ministerio de Sanidad · saved copyHow long do you wait to see a specialist in the Canary Islands?
For a first appointment with a hospital specialist, 143,744 people were waiting in the Canary Islands at the end of 2025 (65.2 per 1,000 residents), with an average wait of 162 days, the longest of 19.
Source: Ministerio de Sanidad · saved copyWhat percentage of patients in the Canary Islands wait more than 60 days for a specialist?
In the Canary Islands, 89.9% of patients waiting for a first specialist consultation on 31 December 2025 had been waiting more than 60 days (the highest of 19).
Source: Ministerio de Sanidad · saved copyWhat is the death rate in Canary Islands?
Adjusting for age, 826.2 people per 100,000 died in 2021, against 828.8 for Spain as a whole and 1,073.4 across the EU; 9th highest of 19 autonomous communities in Spain. Age-standardised rates allow fair comparison between places with older and younger populations.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow many people die of cancer in Canary Islands?
Cancer killed 214.3 people per 100,000 in 2023 (age-standardised), against 210.0 for Spain as a whole and 233.1 across the EU; 8th highest of 19 autonomous communities in Spain. In 2015 it was 235.2.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow many people die of heart disease in Canary Islands?
The age-standardised death rate from heart attacks, strokes and other circulatory diseases was 232.8 per 100,000 in 2023, against 200.2 for Spain as a whole and 312.9 across the EU; 5th highest of 19 autonomous communities in Spain. In 2015 it was 253.7.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow many people die of respiratory disease in Canary Islands?
Respiratory diseases caused 108.9 deaths per 100,000 in 2023 (age-standardised), against 81.4 for Spain as a whole and 75.2 across the EU; 2nd highest of 19 autonomous communities in Spain. In 2015 it was 121.6.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyWhat is the suicide rate in Canary Islands?
In 2023, 10.0 people per 100,000 took their own life (age-standardised), against 8.0 for Spain as a whole and 10.4 across the EU; 3rd highest of 19 autonomous communities in Spain. In 2015 it was 8.8.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow many people die in accidents in Canary Islands?
Accidents, injuries, violence and other external causes killed 36.0 per 100,000 in 2023 (age-standardised), against 32.9 for Spain as a whole and 49.4 across the EU; 5th highest of 19 autonomous communities in Spain. In 2015 it was 32.2.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyWhat is the infant mortality rate in Canary Islands?
3.1 babies in every 1,000 born alive died before their first birthday in 2024, compared with 3.0 nationally and 3.5 in the EU; 9th highest of 19 autonomous communities in Spain. In 2014 it was 2.7.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow many hospital beds does Canary Islands have?
Hospitals in Canary Islands had 290 beds for every 100,000 residents in 2024, compared with 283 nationally; 8th lowest of 19 autonomous communities in Spain.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow many doctors are there in Canary Islands?
Canary Islands had 498 physicians for every 100,000 residents in 2024, compared with 464 nationally; 8th highest of 18 autonomous communities in Spain.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow many people go to hospital in Canary Islands?
Hospitals discharged 6,782 in-patients per 100,000 people in 2021, against 8,983 for Spain as a whole; 2nd lowest of 19 autonomous communities in Spain. In 2012 it was 8,371.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyCan people in Canary Islands get medical care?
In 2025, 1.5% of people reported going without a needed medical examination because of cost, distance or waiting lists, compared with 1.6% nationally; 9th lowest of 19 autonomous communities in Spain.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow many people die on the roads in Canary Islands?
Road accidents killed 31 people per million residents in 2024, compared with 36 nationally; 6th lowest of 19 autonomous communities in Spain. In 2014 it was 27.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyWhat is life expectancy for men and women in Canary Islands?
Women in Canary Islands could expect to live to 85.2 and men to 80.6 at 2024 death rates, a gap of 4.6 years.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow long do people live after 65 in Canary Islands?
People who reached 65 could expect 21.1 more years of life in 2024 (Spain: 21.9).
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow Canary Islands compares with other autonomous communities
Health spending, share of the 2026 regional budget (2026)
Canary Islands ranks 2 of 17, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Health spending, share of the 2026 regional budget |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Asturias | 37.1% |
| 2 | Canary Islands | 36.6% |
| 3 | Castilla y León | 35.7% |
| 4 | Galicia | 34.5% |
| 5 | Andalusia | 34.4% |
| 6 | Aragón | 34.0% |
| 7 | Castilla-La Mancha | 33.7% |
Average wait for planned surgery, 31 Dec 2025 (days) (2025)
Canary Islands ranks 7 of 19, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Average wait for planned surgery, 31 Dec 2025 (days) |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | Extremadura | 135 days |
| 5 | Aragón | 132 days |
| 6 | Castilla-La Mancha | 117 days |
| 7 | Canary Islands | 106 days |
| 8 | Balearic Islands | 105 days |
| 9 | Murcia | 103 days |
| 10 | Navarre | 96 days |
Surgical patients waiting over six months, 31 Dec 2025 (2025)
Canary Islands ranks 8 of 19, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Surgical patients waiting over six months, 31 Dec 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Balearic Islands | 22.4% |
| 6 | Aragón | 21.7% |
| 7 | Murcia | 19.3% |
| 8 | Canary Islands | 17.4% |
| 9 | Navarre | 16.7% |
| 10 | Castilla-La Mancha | 16.5% |
| 11 | Valencian Community | 16.1% |
Patients waiting for surgery per 1,000 residents, 31 Dec 2025 (2025)
Canary Islands ranks 12 of 19, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Patients waiting for surgery per 1,000 residents, 31 Dec 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | Aragón | 18.7 |
| 10 | Castilla-La Mancha | 18.2 |
| 11 | Navarre | 16.1 |
| 12 | Canary Islands | 14.6 |
| 13 | Balearic Islands | 13.6 |
| 14 | Ciudad de Melilla | 12.7 |
| 15 | Ciudad de Ceuta | 12.1 |
Average wait for a first specialist appointment, 31 Dec 2025 (days) (2025)
Canary Islands ranks 1 of 19, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Average wait for a first specialist appointment, 31 Dec 2025 (days) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Canary Islands | 162 days |
| 2 | Navarre | 152 days |
| 3 | Aragón | 138 days |
| 4 | Andalusia | 136 days |
| 5 | Catalonia | 120 days |
| 6 | Extremadura | 112 days |
| 7 | Asturias | 103 days |
Deaths per 100,000 (age-standardised, all causes) (2021)
Canary Islands ranks 9 of 19, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Deaths per 100,000 (age-standardised, all causes) |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | Valencian Community | 900.4 |
| 7 | Asturias | 848.3 |
| 8 | Castilla-La Mancha | 837.2 |
| 9 | Canary Islands | 826.2 |
| 10 | La Rioja | 815.3 |
| 11 | Aragón | 811.6 |
| 12 | Balearic Islands | 807.4 |
Cancer deaths per 100,000 (age-standardised) (2023)
Canary Islands ranks 8 of 19, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Cancer deaths per 100,000 (age-standardised) |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Basque Country | 216.4 |
| 6 | Cantabria | 215.7 |
| 7 | Galicia | 214.8 |
| 8 | Canary Islands | 214.3 |
| 9 | Murcia | 213.3 |
| 10 | Extremadura | 213.0 |
| 11 | Valencian Community | 212.5 |
Heart and circulatory deaths per 100,000 (age-standardised) (2023)
Canary Islands ranks 5 of 19, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Heart and circulatory deaths per 100,000 (age-standardised) |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Murcia | 248.6 |
| 3 | Ciudad de Melilla | 245.0 |
| 4 | Andalusia | 243.0 |
| 5 | Canary Islands | 232.8 |
| 6 | Valencian Community | 228.8 |
| 7 | Aragón | 222.3 |
| 8 | Extremadura | 220.7 |
Respiratory deaths per 100,000 (age-standardised) (2023)
Canary Islands ranks 2 of 19, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Respiratory deaths per 100,000 (age-standardised) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ciudad de Ceuta | 133.1 |
| 2 | Canary Islands | 108.9 |
| 3 | Ciudad de Melilla | 104.7 |
| 4 | Extremadura | 92.8 |
| 5 | Andalusia | 92.1 |
| 6 | Castilla-La Mancha | 91.5 |
| 7 | Madrid | 88.8 |
Suicides per 100,000 (age-standardised) (2023)
Canary Islands ranks 3 of 19, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Suicides per 100,000 (age-standardised) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Asturias | 12.2 |
| 2 | Galicia | 10.1 |
| 3 | Canary Islands | 10.0 |
| 4 | Navarre | 9.2 |
| 5 | Andalusia | 9.1 |
| 6 | La Rioja | 8.6 |
| 7 | Valencian Community | 8.4 |
Deaths from accidents, injury and violence per 100,000 (2023)
Canary Islands ranks 5 of 19, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Deaths from accidents, injury and violence per 100,000 |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Galicia | 40.0 |
| 3 | Navarre | 39.6 |
| 4 | La Rioja | 39.2 |
| 5 | Canary Islands | 36.0 |
| 6 | Catalonia | 35.7 |
| 7 | Castilla y León | 35.0 |
| 8 | Cantabria | 34.2 |
Infant deaths per 1,000 live births (2024)
Canary Islands ranks 9 of 19, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Infant deaths per 1,000 live births |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | Andalusia | 3.5 |
| 7 | Valencian Community | 3.4 |
| 8 | Murcia | 3.4 |
| 9 | Canary Islands | 3.1 |
| 10 | Asturias | 3.1 |
| 11 | Catalonia | 3.0 |
| 12 | Castilla-La Mancha | 2.9 |
Hospital beds per 100,000 people (2024)
Canary Islands ranks 12 of 19, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Hospital beds per 100,000 people |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | Navarre | 316 |
| 10 | Cantabria | 307 |
| 11 | Murcia | 293 |
| 12 | Canary Islands | 290 |
| 13 | Balearic Islands | 277 |
| 14 | Madrid | 253 |
| 15 | Castilla-La Mancha | 236 |
Doctors per 100,000 people (2024)
Canary Islands ranks 8 of 18, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Doctors per 100,000 people |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Extremadura | 541 |
| 6 | Asturias | 530 |
| 7 | Navarre | 514 |
| 8 | Canary Islands | 498 |
| 9 | Cantabria | 490 |
| 10 | Catalonia | 447 |
| 11 | Murcia | 446 |
Hospital in-patient discharges per 100,000 (2021)
Canary Islands ranks 18 of 19, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Hospital in-patient discharges per 100,000 |
|---|---|---|
| 13 | Valencian Community | 8,854 |
| 14 | Madrid | 8,782 |
| 15 | Castilla-La Mancha | 8,064 |
| 16 | Andalusia | 7,290 |
| 17 | Ciudad de Ceuta | 6,820 |
| 18 | Canary Islands | 6,782 |
| 19 | Ciudad de Melilla | 6,408 |
Unmet need for medical care (cost, distance or waiting list) (2025)
Canary Islands ranks 11 of 19, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Unmet need for medical care (cost, distance or waiting list) |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | Valencian Community | 1.8% |
| 9 | Cantabria | 1.8% |
| 10 | Madrid | 1.5% |
| 11 | Canary Islands | 1.5% |
| 12 | Ciudad de Ceuta | 1.2% |
| 13 | Extremadura | 1.1% |
| 14 | Asturias | 1.1% |
Road deaths per million people (2024)
Canary Islands ranks 14 of 19, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Road deaths per million people |
|---|---|---|
| 11 | Navarre | 39 |
| 12 | Catalonia | 32 |
| 13 | Cantabria | 32 |
| 14 | Canary Islands | 31 |
| 15 | Valencian Community | 30 |
| 16 | Basque Country | 21 |
| 17 | Madrid | 18 |
More on Canary Islands: overview · economy and jobs · education and schools · poverty and living standards · government budget · government and politics · Spain
Sources
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset demo_r_mlifexp: Life expectancy at birth, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 62800ed9bbb3…)
- Ministerio de Sanidad: Sistema de Información sobre Listas de Espera en el SNS (SISLE-SNS): data by autonomous community at 31 December 2025 (rectified), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 6fe3e65b851a…)
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset tran_r_acci: Victims in road accidents by NUTS 2 region, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 a183ad1f888d…)
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset demo_r_minfind: Infant mortality rates by NUTS 2 region, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 60cbafea3657…)
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset hlth_co_disch2t: Hospital discharges by diagnosis and NUTS 2 region (in-patients), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 d93487a1c1f9…)
- Ministerio de Hacienda: Presupuestos Generales de las Comunidades Autónomas, año 2026 (resumen ejecutivo, published 31 March 2026), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 81db80f35219…)
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset hlth_cd_asdr2: Causes of death: standardised death rate by NUTS 2 region of residence, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 308c4b705d5d…)
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset hlth_silc_08_r: Self-reported unmet needs for medical examination by NUTS 2 region, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 e5484460cdfc…)
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset demo_r_mlifexp: Life expectancy by age, sex and NUTS 2 region, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 f5a2a33406b9…)
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset hlth_rs_physreg: Physicians by NUTS 2 region, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 4ff68eb77f8b…)
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset hlth_rs_bdsrg2: Hospital beds by NUTS 2 region, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 3178c155028f…)
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