Catalonia's businesses report record exports and R&D expansion

Catalonia marked its Day of the Company by highlighting a surge in export activity, with total exports exceeding €100 billion for the third consecutive year. The region also recorded a 2.2% rise in R&D expenditure in 2024, reaching €5.485 billion, the highest level on record.

In the Horizon Europe programme, Catalan firms secured about €1.89 billion in funding for 2021‑2025, representing 34.1% of Spain’s total and 3.59% of the EU programme, positioning the region second in Europe after Île‑de‑France. Foreign investment remains robust, with more than 9,600 foreign‑owned companies operating in Catalonia—a 68% increase over the past decade. The entrepreneurial ecosystem also grew, counting 2,403 active startups in 2025, the highest number in the region’s history.