Catalonia ends 2024 with 568,179 self-employed workers, up 1.3%

Catalonia ended 2024 with 568,179 self-employed workers, 7,314 more than the previous year, marking a 1.3% increase.

According to figures published Sunday by the self-employed association (ATA), Spain as a whole experienced similar growth, reaching nearly 3.4 million self-employed workers.

Half of the nationwide increase came from Andalusia and Madrid, each adding over 10,000 new workers. Catalonia ranked fourth in growth, following Valencia.

In Catalonia, the province of Barcelona saw the largest rise, with nearly 6,000 additional self-employed workers.

Barcelona now accounts for 412,000 self-employed workers, representing 73% of Catalonia's total.

By sector, declines were noted in commerce, industry, and agriculture.

Meanwhile, professional, scientific, technical, and real estate activities rose by 4.4%, and the communications sector saw a 9.2% surge.

Women continued to drive self-employment growth, with female entrepreneurial activity increasing by 1.8%, adding approximately 22,000 women in 2024.