Barcelona surpasses 135,000 digital professionals as tech talent continues to grow

Mobile World Capital Barcelona has released the eighth edition of the Digital Talent Overview 2026 report, confirming the sustained growth of Barcelona’s digital economy and the city’s consolidation as one of Europe’s leading technology hubs.

According to the report, Barcelona now has 135,890 digital professionals, after adding 6,282 new specialists in 2025. This represents annual growth of 4.85%, while digital professionals already account for 6.5% of all jobs in the city.

The figures underline the strength of Barcelona’s tech ecosystem, where the number of digital professionals has doubled since 2018, driven by the expansion of emerging technologies, international investment, and the growing presence of innovation-driven companies.

Demand for digital talent remains strong

The report also highlights the sustained demand for digital professionals across the Catalan capital. During 2025, companies published 36,460 digital job offers, an increase of 4.15% compared to the previous year and almost double the volume recorded in 2018.

Digital talent now represents more than 27% of all job offers published in Barcelona, demonstrating the strategic importance of technology profiles across industries.

The study points out that, in an environment increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence and advanced digital tools, companies are not reducing hiring needs. Instead, they are prioritizing experienced mid-level and senior professionals capable of managing complex technological environments.

Salaries continue to rise in high-demand tech fields

The growing value of digital talent is also reflected in salaries. According to the report, the average salary for digital professionals in Barcelona reached €51,000 in 2025, up 4.94% from the previous year.

Since 2018, salaries in the digital sector have increased by more than 50%, reflecting the competitiveness of Barcelona’s tech labor market and the strong international demand for specialized talent.

The highest-paid digital specialties include cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, cloud technologies, and New Space, all sectors linked to advanced innovation and high-value technological development.

Artificial intelligence becomes part of daily work

One of the new features of this year’s report is a survey analyzing the adoption of AI-assisted programming among software developers and digital professionals in Barcelona.

The results show that artificial intelligence is already deeply integrated into daily workflows. More than 72% of respondents say they use AI tools every day in software development, while only 0.54% report never using them.

The report concludes that AI delivers the greatest value when it supports professionals rather than replacing them. Developers consider AI especially useful for understanding existing code, generating documentation, and assisting in new software development, while more autonomous uses continue to generate caution.

Female representation in tech continues to improve

The participation of women in Barcelona’s digital sector also continues to grow. In 2025, women accounted for 33.42% of ICT professionals in the city, confirming a gradual improvement in gender diversity.

However, the report notes that parity remains a challenge, particularly in highly technical fields. Cybersecurity continues to show the lowest female representation, with women accounting for just 19.16% of professionals.

By contrast, areas such as digital marketing, sustainable computing, and UX/UI already show near parity, reflecting broader diversification within the digital economy.

Barcelona reinforces its position as a leading European tech hub

The findings of the Digital Talent Overview 2026 further strengthen Barcelona’s position as one of Europe’s most dynamic technology ecosystems.

Supported by a thriving startup environment, strong international connectivity, leading research centers, and global innovation events such as Mobile World Congress, Catalonia continues to attract companies, investment, and highly skilled professionals from around the world.

As artificial intelligence and advanced technologies reshape industries globally, Barcelona and Catalonia are consolidating their role as strategic locations for digital innovation and international business growth.

Source: Barcelona Mobile World Capital