We present a demographic evolution of the Azores and Madeira in the last years, framed in the context of their specificity as island regions. Highlights the differences from their geographical size and internal diversity, both within the islands, such as municipalities. We see distinct grounds in the population trends in each archipelago. In the Azores it is globally prominent natural movement and in Madeira the migration one, which has an important influence in their family size.

keywords: islands, demographic growth, natural and migratory movements, family