Barcelona continues to strengthen itself as a city of technology and knowledge. So much so that the set of sectors intensive in these areas account for practically half of Barcelona's economy. Specifically, activity linked to technology and knowledge generated 49.6% of the city's gross value added (GVA) in 2022.
According to a municipal report, which analyzes the period between 2018 and 2022, these high-intensity technology or knowledge sectors generated a GVA of 43,104 million euros, which represented this 49.6%. Furthermore, this percentage remains stable at around half of Barcelona's economy throughout the analyzed period.
In addition, the study concludes that these sectors increased their GVA by 38% during these four years. This figure confirms the growth and dynamism of this area in the Catalan capital, as well as its importance, in a context in which the city's economy grew by 13% overall.
"The knowledge economy is one of Barcelona's main economic engines," highlighted the Deputy Mayor for Economy, Jordi Valls, who emphasized the role of sectors such as biomedicine, telecommunications, the chip industry, and audiovisual.
Barcelona's positioning in these areas stems from initiatives that "place Barcelona among the leading European cities in innovation," such as, according to Valls, the Strategic Plan for Science and Innovation and hubs such as the Parc de Recerca Biomèdica and the future Ciutadella del Coneixement.