Where Mallorca's wealth comes from the most — a surprise in the mountains

Not a big city, but mountain villages at the top

When you think of wealth on Mallorca, you quickly imagine the Passeig in Palma or expensive beach villas. Surprisingly, the current analysis of income tax data (INE, 2023) shows: the largest shares of income from self-employment, renting, or own businesses are found in small towns of the Serra de Tramuntana.

Deià leads — about 40% of the employed population according to statistics derive income that does not come from a classic salaried job. No wonder: artists, holiday rentals, lawyers and property owners shape the scene. The morning coffee in the Plaça is often a mix of locals, residents and people with suitcases who stay longer than a week.

The places behind

The following villages include Fornalutx (about 36%) and Valldemossa (about 36%). Also Sóller and Escorca lie well above the island average. Notably: in the south, Santanyí stands out — a place popular with many Germans and with around 26% also many self-employed and landlords.

On the neighboring islands Ibiza and Formentera are particularly present: here the share of entrepreneurial income is twice as high as the Spanish average. In short: islands and Tramuntana villages live strongly from own projects, not from traditional wage jobs.

Opposite: Where most people work for their salary

Elsewhere on Mallorca, employed statuses prevail. Municipalities like Consell, Mancor or Marratxí have many households with permanent employment — factories, trade, administration provide regular income there.

And the retirees? In the Balearics, the share of retirement incomes is significantly below the Spanish average (about 14.5% vs. 20.2%). This shows: the islands are relatively young and active — as you can see in busy construction sites, new cafés and French studios in the mountains.

What does this mean for the island?

For residents, this means: rising real estate prices in the popular villages, more holiday rentals, but also jobs in tourism and the service sector. For visitors: nicer streets, but sometimes less space in the bakery at 10 a.m.

I often drive along the MA-10, see olive trees, goats and villas with sea views. Statistics or not — those who live here feel the mix: tradition meets international money flow. And that isn't always comfortable. But it also makes the island more colorful.