Catalan GDP climbs 2.4% in Q3 2025, below Spanish average
Economy grows 0.7% compared with previous quarter
Business
Business & economic news from Barcelona and Catalonia
British tourism generates €2 billion annually in Catalonia
Catalan government seeks to boost UK visitor numbers, showcasing region with thirty companies at World Travel Market in London
Barcelona welcomed 2.8 million cruise passengers in 2024, generating €1.2 billion
Americans make up 28% of homeport passengers and are the highest spenders, while Italians lead among day-trip cruise visitors
Coca-Cola's Sol Daurella is richest Catalan with €2.9bn, according to Forbes
Puig perfume vice president ranks second with €1.8 billion
Barcelona tests 52-capacity autonomous bus in Montjuïc for 10 days
Test open to citizens between 9 am and 7 pm, route connecting Dante Square with Olympic Stadium
Unemployment rises by 2,400 in October, but employment reaches new record
Over 19,000 new jobs were created, bringing the number of active workers to 3.88 million, a new record for the economy in October
AstraZeneca opens new global hub in Barcelona's Estel Building
Pharmaceutical company aims to strengthen its presence in Catalonia with a total investment of €1.3 billion by 2027
Nearly 900 young people benefit from Catalan government loans to buy their first home
Interest-free program has received over 4,000 applications so far, helping buyers cover up to 20% of their down payment
Amazon to lay off 1,200 workers from Barcelona and Madrid offices
Measure as part of company's global scheme to cut 14,000 jobs
Foreign tourist visits to Catalonia drop in September, marking second-worst summer in a decade
Overseas arrivals fell 1.36%, continuing declines from July and August, but spending climbed 10%
Spain's inflation rises 0.1% in October to 3.1%
Increase driven by higher electricity and transport costs
Catalonia targets €6bn in foreign investment by 2030
Government aims to create 45,000 new jobs over five years and reach 10,000 subsidiaries
Spanish GDP growth eases to 0.6% in third quarter
Economy grew 2.8% year on year, down slightly from 3% in the previous quarter
Read the latest updates and breaking news on business and economic matters from Barcelona and Catalonia here. Keep up to date with how the Catalan economy is performing, inflation levels, employment and unemployment, major business mergers, important company announcements, and the latest on Catalonia’s biggest enterprises such as Vueling, Wallbox, Grifols, Mango, and plenty of start-ups and international firms based here too.