Catalan Economic Growth and Productive Sectors Analysis

1.3. Convergence with Europe

Since Spain's incorporation into the European Union in 1986, the Catalan economy has experienced tremendous growth, approaching the European average and that of more advanced nations. Considering the per capita Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Catalonia moved from 84.7% of the EU-15 average in 1986 to slightly above the EU-15 and EU-25 averages by 2004. Catalonia's per capita GDP is now comparable to countries such as Belgium or Sweden.

Between 1986 and 2006, the average annual GDP growth in Catalonia was 3.4%, compared to 2.3% in the EU-15 and the Eurozone. This period included several distinct stages:

• 1986–1991: A period of recovery with growth exceeding the European average.
• 1992–1994: A general crisis, which was particularly pronounced in Catalonia.
• 1995–2006: A period of sustained economic growth for both Catalonia and Spain.

Since 2007, the Catalan economy, like the Spanish economy, entered a major crisis triggered by the financial collapse and the bursting of the housing bubble.

2. The Productive Sectors

2.1. Services: Trade, Tourism, and Finance

The service sector covers a wide range of diversifying activities.

Trade

In 2006, trade accounted for 19.2% of total production in the Catalan service sector and employed 15.5% of the total workforce. The dominant form of commercial enterprise is the Small and Medium Enterprise (SME), typically consisting of self-employed individuals or businesses with fewer than 10 employees.

The territorial distribution of trade is not homogeneous. In 2006, 68.1% of business licenses were located in the province of Barcelona, followed by Tarragona (12.8%), Girona (12.1%), and Lleida (7.0%).

Recent trends in Catalan commerce include:

• The rise of shopping centers versus traditional establishments.
• Increased concentration of distribution among fewer companies.
• The proliferation of new sales formats, such as franchise chains, outlet stores, and e-commerce.
• The resurgence of local shops in recent years.

Key features of the current commercial sector:

• Dominance of small family businesses and high atomization.
• Weak trade associations.
• Low degree of professionalization.
• High ratio of population per establishment.