Catalonia hits its highest level of entrepreneurial activity on record

Catalonia consolidates its position as one of Europe’s most dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystems. According to the latest Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) report, Catalonia recorded its highest level of entrepreneurial activity in 2025 since records began in 2004, with a Total Early-stage Entrepreneurial Activity (TEA) rate of 9.7%. This exceeds the Spanish average (7.8%), is broadly in line with high-income European economies (9.8%), and represents an increase of 1.1 percentage points compared to 2024 (8.6%). In absolute terms, the 9.7% TEA rate means that 492,364 people in Catalonia are involved in early-stage entrepreneurial activity.

The annual report is promoted by the Government of Catalonia’s Ministry for Business and Labour and the Barcelona Provincial Council, and jointly produced by the Institut Metròpoli and the Department of Business at the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), under the direction of Carlos Guallarte. The report also highlights entrepreneurial activity in the province of Barcelona, where the TEA rate reached 10.7%, another all-time high.

This entrepreneurial momentum is also reflected in the number of new businesses being established. According to Spain’s National Statistics Institute (INE), 14,259 companies were incorporated in Catalonia during the first half of 2026, an 11% increase compared to the same period the previous year. This is the highest figure recorded since the current statistical series began in 2008.

Female entrepreneurial activity almost matches male levels

One of the most significant findings of the 2025 GEM report is the near disappearance of the gender gap in early-stage entrepreneurial activity. The female TEA rate reached 9.6%, almost matching the male rate of 9.8%. This reflects the growing participation of women in the creation and development of business ventures and further strengthens Catalonia’s increasingly diverse, inclusive and representative entrepreneurial ecosystem.

This convergence is particularly evident in the province of Barcelona, where the female TEA rate reached 10.4%, well above both the Spanish (7.2%) and European (7.9%) averages.

Entrepreneurial intentions continue to grow

The appetite for entrepreneurship among Catalonia’s population continues to increase. A record 19.8% of the working-age population intends to start a business within the next three years, significantly exceeding the Spanish average (13.8%) and standing above the European average (17.2%).

Meanwhile, 65.2% of people in Catalonia believe they have the knowledge and skills needed to start a business, compared to 53.7% in Spain and 51% in high-income EU economies. This trend confirms that an increasing number of people see entrepreneurship as a viable career option.
These findings point to a significantly larger pool of potential future entrepreneurs and suggest that Catalonia’s entrepreneurial momentum is set to continue in the coming years.

More opportunity-driven entrepreneurship

The average entrepreneur in Catalonia is 41 years old and holds a university degree. The report indicates that opportunity-driven entrepreneurship continued to gain ground in 2025, while the proportion of people starting businesses out of necessity continued to decline.

Specifically, just 29% of early-stage entrepreneurs said they had started their business out of necessity, down from 31% in 2024 and well below the levels recorded in previous years. This figure is also lower than both the Spanish and European averages, which stand at 33%.

Regarding business exits, 7.1% of Catalonia’s population had discontinued a business activity during the previous 12 months. Of these, 52% had closed their businesses permanently, while 48% had transferred ownership to someone else.

The report also points to growing ambitions among entrepreneurs. Some 23% expect their businesses to employ more than five people within the next five years, up from 17% in 2024. However, 37% expect to continue operating without employees, highlighting the persistence of self-employment models and the challenges businesses face in growing and scaling up.

Overall, the study concludes that Catalonia has a dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem, supported by a strong social foundation, high levels of activity and an increasing capacity to generate new business ventures.

The 2025 findings suggest that the ecosystem is entering a new phase of development. Following a period characterized by recovery and renewed entrepreneurial activity, the challenge is now shifting from increasing the number of new ventures to fostering entrepreneurship that delivers greater quality, sophistication and impact.