37,200 Balearic single-parent homes led by women

Across the Balearic Islands, including Mallorca, women head 37,200 single-parent households, and many mothers without work rely on help to cover basic costs. The Adecco Foundation released the figures on Tuesday, 3 November 2026. Women head 82% of the islands’ 45,500 single-parent households.

Help with the basics is far from certain

The foundation’s report puts 50.6% of single-parent households at risk of poverty or social exclusion. It says low incomes, serious material hardship and too little paid work in a household all contribute to that risk.

Among single mothers without a job, 76.2% receive financial or material help. Of those receiving help, 51% rely mainly on public support, 19% on family and 12% on social organisations. That support can help pay for food, housing, medicines and childcare.

But 16% of single-parent families need help and do not get it. Another 62.3% have little or no confidence that the support they need will still be there over the next 12 months.

An unexpected 600-euro bill

An appliance repair or medical expense can leave little room to manoeuvre. The report says 73% of single mothers without work could not pay an unexpected bill of 600 euros from their own resources, without seeking help or credit.

Work could change that, but it must pay enough and fit around caring responsibilities. Of the single mothers surveyed, 78.1% say such a job would end or reduce their need for help from family or institutions. Yet 56% feel that mentioning their family situation when applying for work makes them less likely to be hired.

Topics: Social affairs · Jobs & labour

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com