Barcelona debates the impact of the 'expat' community, now exceeding 5% of the population

The Betevé program Plaça oberta analyzes this Friday the social and economic transformation caused by the arrival of foreign professionals.

Image of a busy Barcelona street with cafe terraces and pedestrians walking during the day.
IA

Image of a busy Barcelona street with cafe terraces and pedestrians walking during the day.

Journalist Bernat Martínez hosts a debate this Friday on Betevé regarding the growth of expats in Barcelona, a community that has quadrupled in size over the last twenty-five years in the city.

According to municipal census data from 2024, the population known as 'expats' already represents more than 5% of the total inhabitants of Barcelona. This profile is defined as individuals with high purchasing power and higher education residing in the city for professional reasons.
The arrival of this group creates a two-sided reality. On one hand, they bring high added value to the technology sector and promote internationalization. On the other, they are linked to rising rent prices and the gentrification of several neighborhoods.

"In Plaça oberta we will hear all opinions to address the debates that Barcelona has yet to resolve."

Bernat Martínez · Journalist and host
The debate will air at 9:30 PM on the show Plaça oberta, where experts and protagonists will analyze coexistence challenges and changes in the city's commercial and gastronomic fabric.