The Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) 2025 report places Catalonia's Entrepreneurial Activity Rate (TEA) at 9.7%, the highest figure since 2004. This data surpasses the Spanish average (7.8%) and aligns with high-income European economies (9.8%). In absolute terms, this rate means 492,364 individuals are participating in early-stage entrepreneurial activities.
The study, promoted by the Departament d’Empresa i Treball of the Generalitat de Catalunya and the Diputació de Barcelona, also highlights that the province of Barcelona records a TEA of 10.7%, another historic high. Furthermore, company creation in Catalonia grew by 11% in the first half of 2026, with 14,259 new mercantile companies established, according to INE data.
One of the most significant findings is the near elimination of the gender gap in early-stage entrepreneurship: the female TEA (9.6%) is very close to the male TEA (9.8%). This reinforces the consolidation of a more diverse and inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Entrepreneurial intention also shows an upward trend, with 19.8% of the working-age population expressing a desire to start a business in the next three years, exceeding figures from Spain (13.8%) and Europe (17.2%). A total of 65.2% of Catalans believe they possess the necessary knowledge and skills to become entrepreneurs.
Regarding the entrepreneur profile, the average age is 41, and the primary motivation is identifying opportunities, with a decrease in necessity-driven entrepreneurship (only 29%). The report also indicates greater growth ambition, with 23% of entrepreneurs expecting to exceed 5 employees within five years.
