2026: Consolidate growth, transform the model
2026 opens up for the Catalan economy and the Spanish economy as a whole in a context of transition and uncertainty, but also of opportunity. After several years of sustained growth, exceeding that of the Eurozone, we are entering a phase in which the tailwinds are moderating, and the main challenge is no longer growth itself, but how we grow and on what foundations. Forecasts indicate that Catalonia will continue to grow above the European average and, foreseeably, also above the Spanish average, albeit at a more moderate pace. This positive trend confirms the strength of our economic fabric, but at the same time highlights an uncomfortable reality: growth alone does not guarantee progress. If it does not translate into structural improvements, productivity, and social cohesion, it risks becoming exhausted. The structural challenges of a new cycle
In this new scenario, the priority must be clear: to consolidate a more robust, more competitive, and more inclusive economic model. And this requires addressing, without delay, some structural challenges that we have been dragging along for far too long.
We must make a firm commitment to productivity. Despite some recent progress, Catalonia continues to show a significant investment gap compared to the leading economies of the Eurozone. We cannot rely on inertia or policies based solely on subsidies for the future. What must guarantee our competitiveness is the capacity to invest in innovation, digitalization, advanced industry, and human capital. Only in this way can we grow through the value we generate, and not through cost or the expansion of low-value-added employment.
Economic growth must be territorially balanced. Catalonia cannot afford a model excessively concentrated in the Barcelona metropolitan area. The strength of the capital must be a lever at the service of the entire country, not a pole that absorbs resources and talent. The region boasts key economic assets: the chemical, logistics, and energy industries of Tarragona; the agri-food and export sector of Lleida; the sustainable and high-quality tourism of the Terres de l'Ebre, Empordà, and Pyrenees; and the research and training ecosystems present in cities like Girona, Manresa, and Reus. Activating this multifaceted Catalonia is an economic necessity, not just a territorial one. Without an efficient network connecting territory, businesses, and talent, any rebalancing strategy is limited. Rigorous planning is needed that prioritizes a modern rail network, competitive intercity public transport, greener and more efficient logistics, and genuine digitalization to prevent further territorial divisions. Catalonia's historical infrastructure investment deficit remains a drag on our economic potential. A well-functioning economy requires a modern and efficient public sector. Administrative reform is not an ideological debate, but a prerequisite for competitiveness. We need a more professional, digital, results-oriented administration with the capacity to execute strategic projects. It is necessary to strengthen management, the evaluation of public policies, the attraction and execution of European funds, and talent retention. Without solid institutions, growth weakens.
To all this is added a central issue: the financing system. Catalonia needs a fairer, more transparent model, better suited to its economic reality. The current common regime system is outdated and generates imbalances that directly affect the quality of public services and investment capacity. This is not just a political demand; it is a matter of economic efficiency and inter-territorial equity. Without adequate funding, competitiveness and social cohesion are compromised.
From resilience to transformation
Catalonia has demonstrated great resilience, but 2026 must be the year of transforming growth into structural progress. This requires shared leadership, institutional consensus, and a national vision that extends beyond the short term. Initiatives such as the Catalunya Lidera Plan and the Catalan Social Agenda are steps in the right direction, but they need continuity, coherence, and the capacity for implementation. In a context of economic, technological, and social transitions, economic policy cannot be limited to managing the present. It must anticipate, build capacity, and generate trust. As the wise warn, the difficult thing is not creating new ideas, but abandoning old ones. Catalonia has the opportunity—and the responsibility—to do so. The challenge is clear: to consolidate Catalonia as a competitive economic engine, with solid institutions, social cohesion, and territorial balance. Making this a reality ultimately depends on the collective determination to transform growth into shared well-being.