Catalonia ranks as the fourth most competitive region in Spain, according to a major new economic study.

The report, presented by the General Council of Economists of Spain (CGE) and sponsored by Banco Sabadell, places Catalonia just behind the two foral communities of the Basque Country and Navarre, and the Community of Madrid.

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This positioning reflects a broader national trend of slowing but steady progress in regional competitiveness.

Catalonia Ranks Fourth in Key Economic Assessment

The findings come from the ninth edition of the Report on Regional Competitiveness in Spain 2025. This analysis is based on the 2024 Regional Competitiveness Index (Icreg 2024) and maps the territorial competitiveness landscape across the country. The study reveals that average structural competitiveness across Spain’s 17 autonomous communities increased by 2% in 2024. This growth aligns with the average evolution seen from 2008 to 2024. However, it also indicates a “progressive deceleration” now that many of the disruptions affecting recent years have been overcome.

Catalonia holds its position as the sole member of the medium-high competitiveness tier. Meanwhile, the high competitiveness group remains unchanged, consisting of Madrid, Navarre, and the Basque Country. The report highlights that regional competitiveness gaps have narrowed over the last decade, a sign of positive convergence. According to the original analysis, this convergence is crucial for balanced growth, regional cohesion, and creating more attractive environments for investment.

Catalonia’s strongest performance lies in several key areas. The report identifies human capital, the institutional environment, and innovation as the region’s most dynamic axes. Positive trends are noted in long-term and temporary unemployment, continuous and adult education, and aspects like inequality, employment, air traffic, and the fleet of eco-friendly vehicles. Furthermore, business dynamism, research, and patents are highlighted as strengths.

Nevertheless, the study also points to areas needing improvement. Catalonia shows a negative evolution in external openness, deficit, productivity, spending on R+D, and female employment. This mixed picture underscores the complex challenges facing regional economies, even as they show overall strength. Nationally, all axes except business efficiency contributed positively to the growth of the Icreg index, with the economic environment, labour market, and human capital axes showing particular dynamism.

The president of the CGE, Miguel Ángel Vázquez Taín, commented on the broader economic context. He stated that the general environment is characterised by solid economic growth, supported by the dynamism of domestic demand and the positive contribution of external demand, largely thanks to a strong tourism sector. However, he expressed concern over the “sluggishness of goods exports.” This national performance is reflected in local pressures, such as the recent news that Barcelona inflation soared 2.6% as energy bills jumped.

In conclusion, the report confirms that regional structural competitiveness in Spain has shown an acceptable convergent pattern from 2013 to 2024, following the Great Recession. Vázquez Taín emphasised that, despite considerable differences persisting between regions over the last 15 years, “regional competitive convergence is a reality that should encourage all the agents involved to persevere in this objective.” This drive for efficiency and growth is also evident in other major infrastructure projects, like the ambitious Catalonia’s rail overhaul which aims for 1.3 billion journeys.

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