diff --git a/openevolve/config.py b/openevolve/config.py
index 57fcaa46..7cc540b4 100644
--- a/openevolve/config.py
+++ b/openevolve/config.py
@@ -248,6 +248,7 @@ class DatabaseConfig:
     population_size: int = 1000
     archive_size: int = 100
     num_islands: int = 5
+    programs_per_island: Optional[int] = None
 
     # Selection parameters
     elite_selection_ratio: float = 0.1
diff --git a/openevolve/process_parallel.py b/openevolve/process_parallel.py
index 69766ce5..144449d9 100644
--- a/openevolve/process_parallel.py
+++ b/openevolve/process_parallel.py
@@ -426,7 +426,7 @@ async def run_evolution(
         completed_iterations = 0
 
         # Island management
-        programs_per_island = max(1, max_iterations // (self.config.database.num_islands * 10))
+        programs_per_island = self.config.database.programs_per_island or max(1, max_iterations // (self.config.database.num_islands * 10))
         current_island_counter = 0
 
         # Early stopping tracking