Crisis in teaching civil service exams: deserted specializations and candidate numbers at a minimum

PalmIn the teaching oppositions of 2026, the second lowest ratio of applicants per place has been registered since 2017, with 2.10 applicants for each of the 630 places called for by the Ministry of Education. In 2025, 2.03 had been registered, while in 2017 the figure rose to 4.54, according to data provided by the STEI. 2025 represents a clear turning point in the evolution of the global ratio in the Balearic Islands. After years of relative stability (2017–2024), with values between 3.65 and 4.79, the indicator plummets to 2.03, a drop of almost 50% in just one year. In 2026, the slight recovery to 2.10 confirms a structural change in trend rather than a punctual oscillation. Nevertheless, many specialities remain vacant because no applicant presented themselves.

By island, the trend is generalized, although with different intensities. In Mallorca, the ratio goes from 4.11 in 2024 to 2.44 in 2025 and 2.47 in 2026; which consolidates 2025 as the clear turning point year. In Menorca, the decrease is even more pronounced: from 4.46 in 2024 to 2.78 in 2025 and 2.03 in 2026. The Pitiusas show the lowest values. In Ibiza, the ratio falls from 3.18 (2024, data aggregated with Formentera) to 1.31 in 2025 and 1.46 in 2026. Finally, Formentera presents the most extreme case: in 2026 it registers a ratio of 0.67. That is, there are fewer applicants than available places.

Secondary

In Mallorca, there are numerous Secondary school body specialties that are below the average ratio of applicants per position in the competition (2.47). This is the case for Latin (1.17); Castilian Language (2.11); Mathematics (0.62); Physics and Chemistry (2.08); Catalan Language (2.44); Business Administration (2.2); Training and Labor Orientation (1.46); Computer Science (1.18); Organization and Commercial Management (2); Graphic Arts Processes and Products (1); Thermal and Fluid Equipment Installation and Maintenance (0.5); Electrical Engineering Installations (0.56); Food Product Development Operations and Equipment (1.5); Agricultural Production Operations and Equipment (1); Clinical and Orthopedic Diagnostic Procedures (1); Health and Assistance Procedures (1.08); Commercial Processes (2); Administrative Management Processes (1.77); Computer Systems and Applications (0.43), and Electronic Equipment (0.33). The extreme case is that of Chemical and Industrial Analysis: one position has been called, but there are no interested parties.

The situation in Menorca is no better. There are four specialties with no applicants: Computer Science; Agricultural Production Processes; Electronic Installations; Agricultural Production Operations and Equipment. Above, but with very low ratios, are Mathematics (0.5 applicants per position); Business Administration (0.67); Thermal and Fluid Equipment Installation and Maintenance (1); Computer Systems and Applications (1); Administrative Management Processes (1.5); Philosophy (1.5), and Physics and Chemistry (1.5).

The crisis in the teaching profession is most evident in the Pitiusas, accentuated on this occasion by housing and the impossibility of finding a place to live. Traditionally, the Islands have been supplied with professionals from Mallorca or other Catalan-speaking territories, but the shortage of staff is growing. It is also the area where, proportionally, the most positions have been offered for opposition. But in many specialties, the competition has been low or non-existent.

the great diversity of needs and difficulties of the studentsIn Formentera, the situation is even more serious. No one has applied for Spanish; English; Educational Guidance; Business Administration. For Mathematics, there is one applicant for two positions; for Drawing, one applicant for one position; the same applies to Community Services (1 and 1) and Administrative Management Processes (2 and 2).

Teacher training corps and Vocational Training

Regarding the teaching staff, there are also specialties with significant imbalances. In Ibiza, English stands out, with 7 positions and 9 applicants (1.29). Also on the same island, Therapeutic Pedagogy (PT) has 17 positions and 34 applicants (2). The teaching specialty with the lowest figures in the Balearic Islands is Hearing and Language (AL), also in Ibiza: 10 positions and 8 applicants (0.80). In both the case of PT and AL, these are profiles that schools increasingly need to address the great diversity of needs and difficulties of the students to address the great diversity of needs and difficulties of the students.

Vocational Training (FP) is not immune to the teaching crisis. In Eivissa, no candidates have applied to fill the two positions for Vehicle Maintenance. The same applies to the two positions for Cooking and Pastry in Formentera. For Catering Services in Eivissa, there are 7 positions and 2 applicants (0.29). Also in the Pitiusas, there is one applicant for the only position of Catering Services in Formentera.

In Mallorca, two positions for Carpentry and Furniture Manufacturing and Installation have been offered, but only one applicant has applied (0.5). Vehicle Maintenance has the greatest impact, with 12 positions and 8 applicants (0.67). Also Catering Services, with 5 positions and 7 applicants (0.67). In Menorca, there are two Vehicle Maintenance positions available for two applicants.

What can be done?

According to STEI, the figures provided reflect a growing disinterest in the profession. “Teaching must be dignified: we need an attractive, well-recognized profession with conditions that motivate new generations to embrace it,” say union sources. Added to this situation is the phenomenon of the “great resignation”: more and more teachers are choosing to retire at 60 and not wait until 65. In parallel, among active professionals, exhaustion is growing due to factors such as bureaucracy, high classroom ratios, low social prestige, and insufficient pay.

, the high teacher-student ratios in classrooms, low social prestige, and insufficient remuneration.