Consolidation of the knowledge economy in the city

With a standardised method, the Municipal Data Office makes an annual review of the quantitative contribution from knowledge and tech intensive sectors, which apply high or semi-high levels of technology or employ well-qualified people. The report  “The Knowledge Economy in Barcelona 2018-2023” notes the trend for growth in this sector, at 49.9% of GVA, compared to 45% in 2018. The wealth of tech and knowledge intensive sectors has grown nearly three times more than the rest of the economy in the last five years. These figures confirm Barcelona’s position as a leading science and technology hub in southern Europe.

Tech and knowledge intensive sectors

These sectors consist of various sub-groups. One is the high intensity sector, made up of the bulk of activities linked to science, and refers to more advanced spheres such as the chemical industry, pharmaceuticals, motor and vehicle manufacturing, telecommunications companies, information technology, R+D, architecture and engineering. The rest of the sub-groups in intensive sectors include financial activities, transport and company services, public administration, education, healthcare and social services, publishing, audiovisual services and cultural and recreational activities.

The report concludes that even though highly intensive sectors accounted for 16.8% of Barcelona’s GVA in 2023 (compared to 33.1% in the rest of the knowledge intensive sectors), these saw the highest growth. The increase in gross value added since 2018 stands at 47%, while the rest of the knowledge intensive sectors grew by 29% in the five years in question.

This shows that research and innovation have an impact on the city’s economy, making it more resilient. They are excellent tools for transforming and improving Barcelona, a process that the City Council is consolidating thanks to the Strategic Science and Innovation Plan 2024-2027.

Group of intensive sectors

Among Barcelona’s tech and knowledge intensive sectors, the bulk corresponds to the sector of the public administration, education, healthcare and social services (34.2%), followed by knowledge intensive services (information and communication, R+D, social headquarters, architecture and engineering), accounting for 29.5%, and financial activities (16.6%). The tech intensive industry is the sphere with the lowest participation (4.2%).

Of all these sectors, the ones with the most participation in the last five years are knowledge intensive services (information and communication, R+D, social headquarters, architecture and engineering) and financial activities, both with 3.7% more than in 2018. At the same time, the sector that has reduced its participation the most is the one for public administration, education, healthcare and social services (down 4.7%).