Productive services drive economic transformation

The BBVA has identified a 'certain change of model' in the Catalan economy, driven by the rise of high-value productive services such as communications, transport, professional services, finance, insurance and research. This shift is a key finding of the bank's Anuari Econòmic Comarcal 2026, presented on Monday 28 September in Barcelona. Between 2019 and 2025, the gross value added (GVA) of private productive services grew by 25.6%, significantly outpacing personal services (+12.4%) and collective services (+10.1%). Josep Oliver, emeritus professor of Applied Economics at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) and director of the study, stated that this trend reflects a strengthening of non-tourism service exports, which now match the economic weight of tourism-related services. Productive services' share of the tertiary sector's GVA rose from 23.8% to 25.6% over the past six years.

The reinforcement of productive services is supported by the growth in non-tourism service exports, which now equal the weight of tourism services

Lleida's Pla leads regional growth

The Pla de Lleida comarcal area led Catalonia's economic growth in 2025, recording a 3.7% year-on-year increase in GVA. This was largely due to a strong recovery in the primary sector, which grew by 13.6% in the region, alongside growth in construction (+7.6%) and services (+3%). In contrast, industry growth in the area was more moderate at 0.9%. The Barcelona metropolitan axis also performed strongly, with overall GVA growth of 3.1%, remaining the economic engine of Catalonia. Girona's comarques saw GVA rise by 2.9%, driven by productive services, while central comarques grew by 2.7%. The Camp de Tarragona (+2.2%), mountain areas (+2%) and Terres de l'Ebre (+1.3%) lagged behind, with the latter affected by a decline in the energy industry.

Demand and territorial rebalancing

Domestic demand was the main driver of Catalonia's economy in 2025, growing by 4.1%, sustained by both consumption and public and private investment. A key factor was the influx of foreign workers, who entered the labour market and offset the demographic decline of native-born residents. Low interest rates set by the European Central Bank (ECB) also encouraged investment. Oliver noted a shift in the geographical distribution of economic growth. While historically growth began in coastal areas along the AP-7 motorway and later spread inland, recent years have seen expansion 'outside the AP-7', particularly in the Barcelona area and an arc including Gironès, Pla d'Urgell, Osona and Bages. This suggests a 'certain territorial rebalancing' linked to agri-food industry, personal and productive services.

Reported by anuaricomarcal.cat, ultimahora.es, ddd.uab.cat, Nació Digital, creis.uab.cat, lamanyana.cat, portalrecerca.uab.cat, viaempresa.cat.