Aragón's Economy Set to Grow 2.5% in 2026 Amid Investment and Automotive Sector Revival
Aragón's economy is projected to expand by 2.5% in 2026, driven by investments and a shift to electric vehicles in the automotive industry, despite some labor and geopolitical challenges.
- • Aragón’s economy expected to grow 2.5% in 2026, exceeding Spain’s projected 2.3%.
- • Automotive sector's transition to electric vehicles is a key growth factor.
- • Investments in agriculture, construction, and industry contribute to positive outlook.
- • Labor shortages and rising costs present challenges amid strong employment growth.
Key details
Aragón’s economy is forecasted to grow by 2.5% in 2026, surpassing Spain’s overall expected GDP growth of 2.3%, according to multiple recent reports including one from CEOE Aragón. This positive outlook follows a strong 2.9% growth in 2025 which aligned with national performance.
Key drivers behind the economic expansion include a significant influx of investments across various sectors such as agriculture, construction, and industrial equipment. The automotive industry is a particularly important contributor, with a strategic shift towards electric vehicles, highlighted by the establishment of a new battery factory seen as ensuring a promising future for the sector.
Employment growth and increasing population have further fueled consumer demand in Aragón, although challenges remain. The region faces an unemployment rate projected to be around 8.5% by the end of 2025. While immigration has supported job creation, labor shortages, particularly in construction, continue to constrain growth. Businesses also report rising labor costs and difficulties in recruiting workers, which could limit expansion potential despite robust investment plans.
On a broader economic front, Aragón continues to outperform the European average but is confronting risks such as international trade tensions and economic fragility in Europe. Additionally, the approaching end of Next Generation EU funds, political instability, legal uncertainties, and regulatory burdens pose domestic risks. Infrastructure concerns are pressing too, especially regarding the capacity of the electrical grid to accommodate new demands.
Exports have decreased, notably in automotive products, while imports have risen, leading to a coverage rate of 82.4%. Companies are progressively integrating artificial intelligence to improve efficiency, which also necessitates educational adaptation to prepare the workforce for technological advances.
In summary, Aragón’s 2026 economic forecast is positive, built on strong investment inflows and a rejuvenated automotive sector pivoting to electric vehicles. Nevertheless, labor market constraints, external economic pressures, and domestic uncertainties create cautionary notes for future growth.
This article was synthesized and translated from native language sources to provide English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
