With a current population of 3.45 million people across 636 km², the BMA has seen a growth of 223,000 residents over the past 15 years and is projected to reach 3.55 million by 2041. This demographic dynamism necessitates a coordinated approach to address its challenges.
“"There are challenges that only make sense if we address them from a metropolitan perspective. It is very difficult to find answers to all these challenges if we look at them city by city."
Mobility emerges as a central issue, with 300,000 people commuting daily from Barcelona to work in other metropolitan municipalities, and 500,000 entering the capital for employment. Improving public transport, including the extension of Line 8 and the Rodalies service, is considered crucial for sustainable mobility and influencing housing decisions.
Economically, the BMA generates 52% of Catalonia's GDP but faces a growing shortage of professionals. Emma Gumbert Jordan, vice-president of PIMEC, emphasizes the importance of an orderly integration of migratory flows to meet these needs and stimulate economic growth, as small and medium-sized enterprises struggle to find staff.
Social cohesion is also a challenge, particularly given the decline in births (from 32,600 in 2011 to 23,100 in 2023) and an aging population. The integration of migrants is becoming fundamental to maintaining demographic growth and cohesion in an increasingly diverse society.
Finally, the housing challenge is exacerbated by an increase in single-person households and the depletion of housing stock. Carles Donat, director of the Metropolitan Housing Observatory, points to medium and long-term solutions, such as building more and reducing the use of non-habitual housing, like tourist apartments, to increase residential supply.
