The Girona regions exhibit a polarized socio-economic reality according to the 2024 Territorial Socio-economic Index (IST) from Idescat. Vilablareix ranks as the third municipality with over 500 inhabitants to achieve the highest index in Catalonia (125.1 points), while Salt (59.3 points) and Sant Pere Pescador (62.9 points) are among those with the lowest values.
These figures reveal a gap of 65.8 points between Vilablareix and Salt, a disparity that underscores the concentration of diverse socio-economic realities within the same province. Vilablareix stands 25 points above the Catalan average (set at 100), whereas Salt falls more than 40 points below it.
At the Catalan level, Matadepera (130.1 points) and Tiana (125.3 points) lead the ranking, with Vilablareix very close. At the lower end, Barbens (57.3 points) has the lowest index, followed by Salt and Sant Pere Pescador. The Girona province, therefore, clearly reflects territorial contrasts, featuring municipalities with a residential profile and strong labor and educational indicators, contrasted with others facing greater vulnerability factors like low-skilled jobs or lower incomes.
The IST is not solely based on income but is a synthetic indicator integrating employment status, educational level, immigration, and income. Vilablareix's strong position is largely attributed to its high percentage of employed population (83.8% aged 20-64), significantly exceeding the Catalan average (67.2%).
In contrast, Salt stands out for having the highest percentage of residents aged 20 and over with low educational attainment (27.9%), a key factor in its low index. Meanwhile, Sant Pere Pescador shows the highest proportion of low-skilled workers (34.6%), far above the Catalan average (11.4%), contributing to its position at the bottom of the ranking.
Other municipalities in Girona, including Figueres, Lloret de Mar, Roses, Olot, and Palafrugell, also fall below the Catalan average, with indices ranging from 71.3 to 82.1 points. Even regional capitals and significant towns like La Bisbal d’Empordà, L'Escala, Sant Feliu de Guíxols, Blanes, and Girona city itself (97.2 points) present values lower than the national benchmark.
The analysis of changes between 2015 and 2024 reveals notable shifts. While some small municipalities like Ultramort or Fontanilles have gained relative ground, others such as Olot and Castelló d’Empúries have seen significant declines. Vilablareix has strengthened its high-ranking position, whereas Girona city has slightly dropped below the average.
The 2024 data are provisional, with the income indicator to be updated later. This synthetic index allows for the comparison of socio-economic complexity across Catalan municipalities, offering a detailed view of territorial inequalities.
