In 2025, the total investment in dependency care in Spain amounted to 13.734 billion euros. Autonomous communities financed 72.6% of this figure, while the state contribution represented 27.4%. In the case of Canarias, the investment was 403.5 million euros, of which 74.8% came from regional funds and 25.2% from state funds.
The Canary archipelago is positioned as the seventh autonomous community with the highest percentage contribution to the dependency system, surpassed only by the Basque Country (85.3%), Navarre (81.4%), Balearic Islands (81.3%), Valencian Community (77.7%), Asturias (75.8%), and Catalonia (75.2%). On the other hand, La Rioja (59.8%), Castilla y León (63.3%), Andalusia (66%), and Galicia (67.1%) are those that contributed the least percentage.
Despite its high percentage contribution, Canarias is at the bottom in investment per potentially dependent person in 2025, with 1,490 euros, a figure similar to that of Galicia. The Basque Country leads this section with 3,102 euros, followed by Extremadura (2,757), Balearic Islands (2,632), and Navarre (2,578).
Furthermore, the archipelago is the third community that invested the least per inhabitant in 2025, with 178.8 euros, less than half of the leading communities in this indicator: Basque Country (479.8 euros), Extremadura (411), and Castilla y León (388).
The report from the State Association of Directors and Managers in Social Services highlights that the average annual expenditure per beneficiary in Spain was 8,417 euros. Canarias is slightly below the state average, with 8,292 euros annually per beneficiary.
Canarias has increased its funding to meet the objectives of improving care for its dependent population, and it is projected to receive 39 million euros in 2026. Eight communities will see this contribution reduced due to 'poor management'.
“"Few state matters achieve such consensus and are of such social urgency as care for people in situations of dependency. However, after almost 20 years, dependency is a pending right. Despite the progress made by the law, one of the most consensual state policies, its potential remains undeveloped."
The report also analyzes the funding of the public dependency system, noting that the weight of regional funding versus state funding has fluctuated. After a state increase in 2021, regional contribution fell by 13% between 2020 and 2023. However, in 2024 it increased again, although in 2025 it decreased by 0.3%. The General State Administration increased its dependency spending by 185 million euros, in addition to 500 million due to the ELA Law.
The association calls for an annual increase in funding of at least one billion euros to reduce waiting lists, increase benefit amounts, and improve service intensity.
