Statistics on Contributory Pensions. Contributory Social Security Pensions and Pensioners. 2024

In 2024, the number of pensioners receiving contributory Social Security pensions who were residing in Catalonia grew by 1.2% compared to the previous year, stood at 1,559,240, which means 19.5% of Catalonia's population. By counties, El Barcelonès was the only one where the number of pensioners fell (−0.1%), and the most remarkable increases were in El Baix Penedès (3.2%), El Pla de l’Estany (2.7%) and La Selva (2.6%).

The number of pensioners increased in all municipalities of 20,000 inhabitants and over, except for L'Hospitalet de Llobregat (−0.3%) and Barcelona (−0.2%). The municipalities where pensioners increased the most were Lloret de Mar, Salou and Calafell (4.1%, 4.0% and 3.7%, respectively).

The counties with the highest percentages of pensioners receiving contributory pensions out of the total population (19.5% for Catalonia as a whole) were El Berguedà (27.7%), El Ripollès (27.3%), La Terra Alta (27.3%), El Lluçanès (26.4%) and Les Garrigues (25.1%). In contrast, the lowest proportions were found in La Cerdanya (14.6%), Aran (15.4%) and L’Alt Empordà (15.9%). Among municipalities of 20,000 inhabitants and over, the highest percentages of pensioners were in Esplugues de Llobregat (23.2%), Igualada (22.1%) and Manresa (21.9%), whereas the lowest percentages were in Salou and Salt (both 13.5%) and Vila-seca and Lloret de Mar (both 13.6%).

The average amount received by pensioners increased by 5.0% compared to 2023, standing at 1,509 euros per month. It also increased in all counties and Aran, and the highest increases were recorded in L'Alta Ribagorça (7.1%), La Cerdanya (6.9%) and El Priorat (6.4%), whereas the county with the lowest increase was El Berguedà (4.4%).

El Barcelonès was the county where the average gross amount received by pensioners from contributory Social Security pensions was the highest in Catalonia, with 1,625 euros per month, followed by El Tarragonès (1,553 euros) and El Baix Llobregat (1,547 euros). On the other hand, in La Terra Alta, Les Garrigues, El Montsià and La Noguera the average monthly amount did not reach 1,200 euros.

Among municipalities of 20,000 inhabitants and over, Sant Cugat del Vallès was the municipality where pensioners receiving contributory pensions reached the highest average amount (1,846 euros per month), followed by Sant Quirze del Vallès (1,810 euros) and Sant Just Desvern (1,756 euros). On the other hand, Roses (1,190 euros), Lloret de Mar (1,219 euros) and Amposta (1,239 euros) were the municipalities where this monthly amount was lowest.

By sex, in 2024, 52.0% of pensioners were women and 48.0% were men. The average received in terms of pensions shows a difference by sex of 405 euros, standing at 1,315 euros for women and at 1,720 euros for men.

By contribution regime, the average pension from the General Regime for Catalonia was 1,419 euros, whereas the average pension from the Special Regime for Self-Employed Workers (RETA) was 911 euros. La Terra Alta and Les Garrigues had the lowest average pensions, all regimes considered. Pensions from the RETA in these counties had the highest weight in Catalonia as a whole: 55.5% in La Terra Alta 55.5% and 46.1% in Les Garrigues.