Home Barcelona’s Knowledge Economy Reaches 49.9%, Driven by High-Intensity Sectors

Barcelona’s Knowledge Economy Reaches 49.9%, Driven by High-Intensity Sectors

Carmen Ruiz MartinezJanuary 9, 20262 Mins read9

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Barcelona’s Knowledge Economy Consolidates, Reaching Nearly 50% of GVA

Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain – The city of Barcelona is solidifying its position as a resilient economic hub, with nearly half of its economic activity now rooted in knowledge, technology, and high-quality employment. A new report, “The Knowledge Economy in Barcelona 2018-2023,” published by the Municipal Data Office (Oficina Municipal de Datos), reveals that 49.9% of the city’s Gross Value Added (GVA) is generated by these intensive sectors. This marks a significant increase from 45.5% recorded five years ago in 2018.

The Municipal Data Office annually reviews the quantitative contribution of technology or knowledge-intensive sectors, which are characterized by the application of high or medium-high level technology or by employing highly qualified personnel. The report confirms a clear upward trend in this sector, highlighting that the wealth generated by technology and knowledge-intensive sectors has grown almost three times faster than the rest of the economy over the past five years. These figures underscore Barcelona’s growing reputation as a leading scientific and technological hub in Southern Europe.

High-Intensity Sectors Lead Economic Growth

Within the broader category of technology and knowledge-intensive sectors, the report distinguishes several sub-groups. The ‘high-intensity’ sector, which includes most science-related activities, encompasses advanced fields such as the chemical industry, pharmaceuticals, motor vehicle manufacturing, telecommunications, information technology, R&D, architecture, and engineering firms.

Other intensive sub-groups include financial activities, transport and business services, public administration, education, health and social services, publishing, audiovisual services, and cultural and recreational activities.

The report concludes that while high-intensity sectors represented 16.8% of Barcelona’s GVA in 2023 – compared to 33.1% for other knowledge-intensive sectors – they have experienced the most substantial growth. The increase in gross value added since 2018 for these high-intensity sectors has been a remarkable 47%, significantly outpacing the 29.9% growth observed in other knowledge-intensive sectors over the same five-year period.

This trend demonstrates the profound impact of research and innovation on the city’s economy, contributing to its resilience and serving as vital tools for transforming and improving Barcelona. The City Council is actively consolidating this work through its Strategic Plan for Science and Innovation 2024-2027.

Sectoral Contributions and Shifts

Among Barcelona’s technology or knowledge-intensive sectors, public administration, education, health, and social services hold the largest share, accounting for 34.2% of the GVA. This is followed by high-intensity knowledge services (information and communication; R&D, social headquarters; architecture and engineering) at 29.5%, and financial activities at 16.6%. Technology-intensive industry represents the smallest share at 4.2%.

Over the past five years, the sectors that have gained the most significant share are high-intensity knowledge services (information and communication; R&D, social headquarters; architecture and engineering) and financial activities, both increasing by 3.7 percentage points compared to 2018. Conversely, the public administration, education, health, and social services sector has seen the largest reduction in its weight, decreasing by 4.7 percentage points.

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