Madrid Surpasses Catalonia in Social Security Affiliates, Signaling Shift in Spain's Economic Landscape
Madrid surpasses Catalonia in social security affiliates for the first time, highlighting shifting economic and employment dynamics in Spain.
- • Madrid surpasses Catalonia in Social Security affiliates for the first time with 3.88 million affiliates.
- • Madrid's economy is more diversified and attracts significant foreign investment benefiting from a 15.5% tourism growth since 2019.
- • Catalonia relies heavily on exports and showed only 3% tourism growth compared to Madrid.
- • Rapid growth in Madrid's metropolitan area has led to increased housing prices and longer commutes for workers.
- • Experts caution against regional economic imbalances and call for policies to support growth across all Spanish regions.
Key details
For the first time in history, Madrid has overtaken Catalonia in the number of Social Security affiliates, according to government data for December 2025. Madrid now leads with 3,882,343 affiliates, surpassing Catalonia by 7,607. This is a significant milestone, reversing a long-standing trend dating back to January 1999, when Catalonia had 2.54 million affiliates compared to Madrid's 2.06 million.
Experts attribute this shift to Madrid's evolution into a more globalized and economically diversified city. Manuel Alejandro Hidalgo from the University Pablo de Olavide notes that nearly one-third of all foreign direct investment in Spain is concentrated in Madrid, fueling robust growth. Arturo Lahera of the University Complutense adds that while Catalonia has traditionally depended heavily on exports, Madrid’s economy is more varied, bolstered further by a tourism growth rate of 15.5% from 2019 to 2024 compared to just 3% in Catalonia.
Demographically, both regions have added around 380,000 inhabitants since 2021, but Madrid’s surrounding provinces such as Toledo and Guadalajara are experiencing even faster growth. However, this boom has led to pressures, with rising housing costs and infrastructure strains. Lahera warns that 37% of workers in Madrid endure commutes over an hour, highlighting a negative externality of the city’s rapid expansion.
Both scholars emphasize the necessity for balanced policy approaches, cautioning against Madrid becoming a "black hole" that absorbs resources at the expense of other Spanish regions. They call for national strategies to foster growth opportunities throughout Spain.
This development is emblematic of a broader economic transformation within Spain, with Madrid emerging as a leading economic hub reshaping regional employment dynamics. While Catalonia remains a major economic player, Madrid’s ascent marks an important realignment in Spain’s economic geography.
This article was synthesized and translated from native language sources to provide English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
