Indicators of high-technology sectors and products. 2018-2022

The high-technology and medium high-technology sector had turnover of 82,867.8 million euros in Catalonia in 2022, which represents 15.9% of the turnover of the total industrial and service sectors investigated. This sector (27,142 establishments, 4.2% of the total) employed 281,375 people (10.5% of the total) and generated gross value added (GVA) of 23,547.1 million euros (17.6% of the total).

For the first time, Idescat is offering the Indicators of high-technology sectors and products as a useful tool for analysing the competitiveness and internationalisation of the economy.

By activity sectors, manufacturing industry with high and medium high-technological content accounted for most of the economic activity in the high-technology and medium high-technology sector: 78.9% of turnover, 56.8% of employment and 63.1% of GVA.

The high-technology and medium high-technology sector had productivity of 83,686 euros per employee, 67.3% higher than for industrial and services companies as a whole. It also stands out for its high percentage of sales abroad (42.7%) which was double the exports of all industrial and services sectors (20.1%). By contrast, the female participation rate (33.4% of paid staff) is 14.5 points lower than in the business sector investigated as a whole. Moreover, the research and development branch is the only one with a higher presence of women than men (59.3%).

Internal R&D expenditure in Catalonia by the high-technology and medium high-technology sector stood at 2,142.9 million euros in 2022, which is 70.9% of total expenditure on R&D activities performed in Catalonia by the business sector as a whole. By sector, 1,364.4 million euros was in manufacturing sectors and 778.5 million euros in the high-technology services sector.

In terms of employment, 62.4% of the full-time equivalent (FTE) personnel carrying out R&D activities in Catalonia were in the high-technology and medium high-technology sector (18,728.8 people in FTE).

Expenditure on innovation in Catalonia by the high-technology and medium high-technology sector came to 3,355.4 million euros in 2022, which is 62.1% of total expenditure on innovation activities.

In terms of the wage cost per worker per month, in 2022 it was 3,528.6 euros in the high-technology and medium high-technology sector, while the wage cost per effective hour was 25.2 euros, 44.4% and 31.6% higher, respectively, than in the business sector as a whole.