The gross domestic product or GDP refers to the total market value of all goods and services that are produced within a country per year. It is an important indicator of the economic strength of a country. Both Catalonia and Spain as a whole experienced a decrease in GDP between 2008 and 2013. However, in 2023 the GDP of Catalonia rose to its highest point at 292.5 billion euros, with the GDP of the whole of Spain amounting to 1.5 trillion euros. The development of GDP in Spain was thus closely linked to the average change of GDP in the Eurozone, with GDP of Spain having risen significantly since 2020.

Catalonia's role in Spain's GDP

The Catalan participation in the Spanish GDP was estimated at 20 percent in 2023. This figure maintained steadily over the last few years, with an average share of about 20 percent of the total GDP of the country. It is worth mentioning that Catalonia was Spain’s second most populated autonomous community at 7.9 million inhabitants, mostly located in the Barcelona area. The average GDP per capita in Catalonia was significantly higher than that of the rest of Spain at 34,534 euros in 2022. During the same period, Spain’s average GDP per capita was 28,300 euros.

Tourism constitutes an essential industry for the Spanish economic system

Travel and tourism have become one of the leading engines of growth for the Spanish economy, featuring an ongoing increase in the GDP contribution over the last years and reaching approximately 164.5 billion euros in 2022. The industry also plays a key role to boost the Spanish employment market, which has been experiencing a significant improvement since the 2007 financial crisis jeopardized and destroyed many jobs across the country.

Despite following a similar trend to the rest of Spain, the region of Catalonia had a higher GDP than average for the country. In 2022, Catalonia's GDP per capita was roughly 34,500 euros, while the national figures for the entire country were around 28,280 euros per inhabitant.

Spain Household Annual Net Income: Avg: Catalonia data was reported at 31,339.000 EUR in 2015. This records an increase from the previous number of 30,655.000 EUR for 2014. Spain Household Annual Net Income: Avg: Catalonia data is updated yearly, averaging 31,201.000 EUR from Dec 2007 (Median) to 2015, with 9 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 33,297.000 EUR in 2009 and a record low of 30,407.000 EUR in 2013. Spain Household Annual Net Income: Avg: Catalonia data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Statistics Institute. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Spain – Table ES.H017: Households Net Income.

Spain Hotel Income: Daily Average: per Available Room: Catalonia data was reported at 71.240 EUR in Sep 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of 90.370 EUR for Aug 2018. Spain Hotel Income: Daily Average: per Available Room: Catalonia data is updated monthly, averaging 46.430 EUR from Jan 2008 (Median) to Sep 2018, with 129 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 94.670 EUR in Aug 2017 and a record low of 27.500 EUR in Jan 2010. Spain Hotel Income: Daily Average: per Available Room: Catalonia data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Statistics Institute. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Spain – Table ES.Q024: Hotel Income.

Spain Hotel Income: Daily Average: per Occupied Room: Catalonia data was reported at 94.750 EUR in Jun 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 88.900 EUR for May 2018. Spain Hotel Income: Daily Average: per Occupied Room: Catalonia data is updated monthly, averaging 81.425 EUR from Jan 2008 (Median) to Jun 2018, with 126 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 111.610 EUR in Aug 2017 and a record low of 65.240 EUR in Jun 2009. Spain Hotel Income: Daily Average: per Occupied Room: Catalonia data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Statistics Institute. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Spain – Table ES.Q024: Hotel Income.

GDHI: Catalonia data was reported at 149,905,354.000 EUR in 2022. This records an increase from the previous number of 144,543,330.000 EUR for 2021. GDHI: Catalonia data is updated yearly, averaging 124,942,888.000 EUR from Dec 2000 (Median) to 2022, with 23 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 149,905,354.000 EUR in 2022 and a record low of 74,909,805.000 EUR in 2000. GDHI: Catalonia data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Statistics Institute. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Spain – Table ES.A042: ESA 2010: Gross Disposable Household Income: by Region.

Spain GDHI per Capita: % Avg Country Level: Catalonia data was reported at 109.443 % in 2022. This records a decrease from the previous number of 111.278 % for 2021. Spain GDHI per Capita: % Avg Country Level: Catalonia data is updated yearly, averaging 114.248 % from Dec 2000 (Median) to 2022, with 23 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 115.265 % in 2014 and a record low of 109.443 % in 2022. Spain GDHI per Capita: % Avg Country Level: Catalonia data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Statistics Institute. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Spain – Table ES.A042: ESA 2010: Gross Disposable Household Income: by Region.