More remote/less populated Macaronesian Islands

Would it be possible that the Macaronesia islands (while still being owned by Portugal/Spain) would be much more sparsley populated and remote than OTL ?

Azores having max about 50.000 Inhabitants
Madeira max. 50.000 - 60.000 Inhabitants
Canares having max. 500.000 inhabitants.

or even less if possible. Maedira and Azore were not inhabited by humans before the portugese arrived. The Canares already had the Guanches, however i doubt they were numerous.
 
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