The self-employed are gaining ground in the Balearic Islands and will close 2025 with unprecedented figures.
Self-employment grew by 2.1% in one year and exceeded 101,600 professionals, with Mallorca concentrating almost eight out of every ten self-employed workers
PalmThe Balearic Islands ended 2025 with 101,608 self-employed workers, the highest figure ever recorded in the Special Regime for Self-Employed Workers (RETA). In the last year, this group grew by 2,126 people, a 2.1% increase compared to December 2024, confirming the upward trend in self-employment in the archipelago. This growth is unevenly distributed among the islands, with Mallorca accounting for nearly 79% of the self-employed, with 76,001 professionals. It is followed by Menorca, with 14,102 members; Ibiza, with 7,612; and Formentera, with 928. This snapshot demonstrates the significant role of the self-employed group throughout the islands and their crucial contribution to the local economy.
Regarding the profile, 64% of the self-employed are men and 36% are women, with a greater presence in the 45-55 age bracket and among those over 55. The sectors with the highest membership continue to be construction, commerce, hospitality, and technical services.
The data also reflects that the predominant model is that of the small entrepreneur: 86% of the self-employed do not have any employees, while only 14% have any workers on their payroll. Of this percentage, the majority have one or two employees, which demonstrates the predominance of individual and small businesses.
In recent years, the Government has promoted several lines of aid aimed at established self-employed workers, with the objective of guaranteeing business continuity and strengthening their competitiveness. These measures are complemented by the zero-fee scheme, designed to facilitate the start of entrepreneurial activity and alleviate the financial burden during the first few years.