This analysis places Madrid as the only autonomous community, alongside Navarre and the Basque Country, to reach a high level of competitiveness. It particularly highlights the dynamism of the innovation pillar, as well as strong performance in economic growth, employment, training, institutional quality, infrastructure, and the business environment.
Madrid attains a high level of structural competitiveness in six of the seven pillars analyzed, standing out for its leadership in employment rates, lifelong learning, government quality index, investment in industrial protection, and the share of large companies. Within the innovation pillar, factors such as the number of researchers, registered patents, and R&D expenditure underscore the strength of the regional ecosystem.
According to the General Council of Economists, regional competitiveness in Spain remained in a phase of moderate growth throughout 2024, with an average increase of 2% and a pattern of positive convergence among the autonomous communities. Nevertheless, Madrid’s leadership is reinforced by its ability to create attractive environments for investment, job creation, and innovation, consolidating its role as Spain’s economic engine.