Catalonia receives more than 40% of foreign investment in Spain

The Foreign direct investment (FDI) in Spain continues to being crucial for the country’s economic growth. The 2023 total investment amounted to 28.215 billion euros, maintaining the average of the last five years. In particular, the educational and technological sectors have catch the attention and interest of foreign investors, receiving 162.64 million euros in the first half of this year alone.

In Catalonia, the foreign investment in education represents 40.37% of the total, positioning Barcelona as a leader of educational and technological in Europe, with a network of prestigious universities that allows the creation of new laboratories and advanced, modernized research centers.

District 22@ Innovation HUB

Diana Filipescu, TBS Education – Barcelona Professor and Program Manager of the MSc International Business program, highlights how these investments not only strengthen Catalonia’s appeal as a destination for quality education but also, in her own words: “It is a sign of confidence in the talent and opportunities of this region.” This can be seen in how Barcelona, with its 22@ district, demonstrates that many schools and businesses choose to settle in that area.

A small part of the city that brings together talent, innovation, and development. Key aspects for continuing to attract investors looking for dynamic, globally connected environments. Consolidated by three key points that make it so appealing:

• Growth in innovation and sustainability.
• Prestigious institutions offering programs in English.
• Creation of highly qualified professional profiles.

A region that, without a doubt, is focused on continuing to develop policies that support this technological and educational improvement, benefiting everyone, and is ready for it. As Filipescu concluded: “Looking towards the future, Catalonia is looking for becoming a key reference in Europe.”