For years, Tenerife’s economy has been closely linked to tourism.
That’s still the case, but the island is gradually building a reputation for something else as well.
According to a recent LinkedIn report, Tenerife is now the second fastest-growing area in Spain for job opportunities, ranking just behind Alicante and ahead of cities including Zaragoza, Las Palmas and Vigo.
It’s another sign that the island’s economy is becoming more diverse.
Growth Beyond Tourism
While tourism remains the biggest employer, much of the recent growth has come from sectors that barely featured in Tenerife’s economy a couple of decades ago.
Areas such as:
- Technology and digital services
- Engineering
- Education
- Scientific research
- Business consultancy
- Digital transformation
are all helping create new career opportunities for people choosing to live and work on the island.
Major Employers Leading the Way
Several organisations have played an important role in that growth.
The University of La Laguna and the University Hospital of the Canary Islands continue to be major employers, while technology company Atos has become one of Tenerife’s largest digital businesses.
The company has been based in Santa Cruz for 25 years and now employs around 1,000 highly skilled professionals, demonstrating that international technology firms can thrive on the island.
Employment Continues to Improve
The figures behind the report are encouraging.
Tenerife has reached a record 443,450 people in employment, while unemployment has fallen to 12.6%.
Construction and industry have also recorded healthy growth, showing that job creation is no longer concentrated in just one sector.
At the same time, flexible working is becoming increasingly common, with LinkedIn reporting that 79% of vacancies now include some form of hybrid working.
Building a More Balanced Economy
The island’s long-term strategy is to strengthen knowledge-based industries while continuing to improve digital infrastructure and attract investment.
The aim is simple enough…create more high-quality jobs, encourage talented graduates to stay on the island and reduce dependence on tourism alone.
There’s still plenty of work to do, but Tenerife’s appearance near the top of LinkedIn’s rankings suggests the island is heading in a positive direction.