03/09/2013 00:00
TW
0
STAFF REPORTER AN equality watchdog in Palma reported yesterday that more than a half of the city's inhabitants were born outside of the Balearics. Statistics showed that of the 413'781 residents who were registered in a census taken on 1st January this year, 232'083 (57 percent) had their origins elsewhere. The majority of this “non-native” sector come from other regions of Spain, 106'260 in total which goes to make up 26 percent of the overall population of Palma. The watchdog said however, that only 7 percent (28'319) were registered as having been born on the Islands.


Citizens of other nationalities with home addresses in Palma (97'504) go to make up 24 percent of the city's overall population. Of this figure, 41 percent come from Latin America - the largest foreign sector. Next in line are people coming from other countries of the European Union, representing 37 percent of the total.

The foreign population of the capital is becoming younger on average due to the birth rate amongst the immigrant population, so while 16 percent of the Spanish population is over 64-year-old, the corresponding group in the foreign sector only amounts to 4 percent. The vast majority of people living in Palma but who were born elsewhere is aged between 16 and 40, exactly 60 percent. The next most numerous is a group aged between 41 and 64 which goes to make of 24 percent of the total.

Research suggests that the motivation for mass immigration has been for reasons of finding paid work as 84 percent of the foreign population is actively employed.

Analysing the city by its different neighbourhoods, Pere Garau hosts the largest number of immigrants, exactly 8'583. This is followed by the district of Bons Aires with 4'649 people who are of another nationality other than Spanish; Foners with 4'206 and Son Gotleu with 3'629 foreigners.

Studies of living conditions of the foreign population show that 40 percent rent their homes, while 38 percent actually own the place they inhabit. A surprising 19 percent live in property which has been made available to them free of charge.

At an educational level, 44 percent of the foreign population of Palma coming from outside the European Union and 42 percent from within the EU have the equivalent of a school certificate. Illiteracy rates in this sector are very low, only 2 percent amongst non-EU residents and 1 percent from the EU.