Consult the report “The Legacy of 20 Years of MWC: Two Decades of Digital Transformation”, produced by Mobile World Capital Barcelona to analyse the shift from a pre-digital society to a fully digitalised economy.
From a pre-digital society to a digitalised economy
Twenty years ago, the arrival of the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona marked the beginning of a transformation that has completely reshaped the country’s economic and social fabric. What was once a pre-digital society has evolved into a fully digitalised economy, where technology is transversal and essential. This report outlines this evolution and the role played by Mobile World Capital Barcelona in fostering a robust digital ecosystem.
The digitalised economy grows by 86.4% in two decades
To accurately measure the increasing economic impact of technology, the Mobile World Capital Barcelona Foundation and COTEC, with support from the Valencian Institute of Economic Research (IVIE), created an indicator that quantifies the weight of the digitalised economy within GDP. This indicator assesses both digital capital and the digital performance of the workforce across all sectors. In 2006, digitalisation accounted for 16.4% of Catalonia’s economy; twenty years later, it has risen to 25.5%, an accumulated growth of 86.4%. Today, the digitalised economy in Catalonia is valued at €68.8 billion..
In Spain, the digital economy accounts for 21% of GDP
In Spain, the digitalised economy represented 14.2% of GDP in 2006 and has grown to 21.6% by 2024, an increase of 81.2% over two decades. Its total value stands at €305.8 billion.
The pillars of Barcelona’s technology ecosystem
Since 2012, the Mobile World Capital Barcelona Foundation has worked to build on the innovation and digital transformation legacy generated by MWC Barcelona, bringing the entrepreneurial and technological ecosystem closer to people and the city. The Foundation identifies three essential pillars for consolidating Barcelona as a digital and technological city: the strength of its digital talent, the attraction of international technology centres —the socalled tech hubs— and the promotion of technological transfer.
A digital ecosystem that grows, specialises and internationalises
Barcelona has become a leading technology hub thanks to a digital labour market that now totals 129,608 professionals, representing 6% of total employment, and growing six times faster than other sectors. The city attracts international talent, promotes specialised training and hosts a diverse digital business fabric. At the same time, Catalonia is home to 203 tech hubs generating more than 46,000 jobs and €4.109 billion in economic impact, while deeptech spin-offs continue to multiply, positioning the region as a national leader in scientific transfer and high-impact innovation.