Barcelona - Catalonia Facts and Figures

Located in Southern Europe, Catalonia and Barcelona have been recognized by the Financial Times for having Europe’s best foreign investment attraction strategy.

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Barcelona-Catalonia, your business location in Europe.

Located in the north-east of Spain and with 7,7 million inhabitants, Barcelona-Catalonia is the most competitive economy in Southern Europe. It concentrates 25% of the Spanish industry and its GDP is similar, for instance, to Finland’s.

Historically a trading nation, its strategic location in the Mediterranean and its transport infrastructures, as well as its entrepreneurial and business-friendly economy, have made it a top location in the south of Europe. Add to that a capital city, Barcelona is an unbeatable meeting point for international business.

Barcelona, a city that beats all capital cities

The city of Barcelona is considered the 3th best European city and the 8th in the world (World’s Best cities 2021, Resonance Consulting, 2021). 

Barcelona stands for the quality of life and the quality of its services. An open-minded city, it is truly global and smart, ahead of its times in terms of intelligent mobility and energy solutions. Startups feel in their element in Barcelona thanks to its incredibly tech-friendly atmosphere.

A top location for international companies

International companies are increasingly deciding on Catalonia and Barcelona for their investments in Europe. Modern and easy connections by plane, roads and maritime transportation ensure a broad market reach within 24 hours.

Moreover, a tech savvy population and highly skilled professionals make it a preferred place for multinationals from diverse sectors, such as Pepsico, Microsoft, Danone, Nestlé, Amazon, AAM, HP, Novartis, or Merck, to name just a few.

8 Fast Facts about Catalonia

8 Fast Facts about Catalonia
Fast facts Description
Population: 7.7 million
Area: 32,108 sq km
Location: North-east of Spain, bordering France and the Mediterranean sea
Monetary unit: Euro
GDP 2020: 224,125 million Euros
GDP per capita (2020): 32,5788 Euros
Exports (2020): 66,265.4 million Euros
FDI (2016-2020): 22,835.1 million Euros (26.2% more than in the previous five years)

“In Barcelona we have HP’s most important laboratory outside the US. To say that you are settled in Barcelona means you have quality of life, great surroundings and climate, and also a creative ecosystem”

Ramon Pastor, Vice President and General Manager HP

  • 25%

    Catalonia accounts for 25% of Spanish industry

  • 1st

    Catalonia is the first region in Spain for foreign investment attraction

  • 22.2%

    Catalonia concentrates 22.2% of Spain’s innovative companies

  • 20%

    Catalonia accounts for 20% of Spanish GDP

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