With a GDP growing between 3.0% and 3.5%, above the European average, Catalonia heads one of the largest sustained economic growth areas in the Mediterranean, extending from northern Italy through southern France and into eastern Spain in the form of an arc. The internal market is dynamic: the internal demand of the Catalan economy grows at more than 4% and family consumption in the order of 3.5%. 

In terms of business activity, more than 20% of the new businesses created each year in Spain are based in Catalonia, proof of the region's entrepreneurial spirit. The net creation of companies in Catalonia has increased more than 5% on average every year in the last 10 years reaching a growth of some 65% in the 1997-2007 period. Catalonia.

The latest investment trends show a strong presence in activities such as R&D, design and new technical projects, which proves that the level of specialisation and development of greater added value products is increasing in the Catalan economy. In fact, according to Healey & Baker's European Cities Monitor, 2005 Barcelona is the 5th best European city in which to locate a business and according to the results of Ernst & Young's European Investment Monitor 2005, Catalonia ranks fourth among the European top-performing regions.

High GDP growth forecasts for 2008 (%)

Source: CIDEM, based on data provided by "Caixa de Catalunya" based on European Commission data.

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