Catalonia's service sector hits record share while industry falls to historic low, Valencia forecasts 2.7% growth

In the first quarter of 2026 Catalonia's services generated 76.13% of its Gross Value Added, the highest share ever recorded, while industry contributed only 18.25%, the lowest proportion since the 2008 Great Recession. Business groups attribute the shift to a surge in hospitality, commerce, logistics and professional services, and warn that without policy changes the industrial base could become residual within five years. They call for reduced bureaucracy, more competitive taxation and accelerated approval of the pending Industry Law, alongside the regional government's €5 billion plan to improve productivity and industrial land supply.

The Confederación Empresarial de la Comunidad Valenciana (CEV) projects a 2.7% growth rate for the Valencian economy in 2026, driven by strong internal demand, consumption, construction and tourism, as well as reconstruction efforts after the recent flood (DANA) and the use of EU NextGeneration funds. While the services and construction sectors lead the expansion, industrial output remains uneven, with only the ceramic sector posting annual gains and other manufacturing areas lagging.