What does the international professionals who live and work in Barcelona think about the city?
Which obstacles need to be removed to attract and retain impactful talent?
International Talent Monitor
The survey for the international talent in Barcelona to better know and understand their needs and challenges, and take steps to increase their sense of belonging and get them more involved in the cities.
Carried out every two years with the collaboration of Banco Sabadell
15 minutes survey
More than 1000 respondents
The 2023 edition is the 6th of its kind
Methodology
Quantitative: Scale of rating
1
Very
Unsatisfied
Unimportant
Unhelpful
2
Quite
Unsatisfied
Unimportant
Unhelpful
3
Somewhat
Unsatisfied
Unimportant
Unhelpful
4
Neutral
5
Very
Satisfied
Important
Helpful
6
Quite
Satisfied
Important
Helpful
7
Somewhat
Satisfied
Important
Helpful
Qualitative
8 focus group with 60 professionals involved
  • Education / Health & Pharma/ Tourism, Culture & Sports/ City Services & Housing/ Investment/ Research & Innovation/ Startup & Tech/ Mobility, Infrastructure & Sustainability.
Respondents Profile
There’s almost an equal gender balance and the 80% of the targeted audience is under 50 years old.
The 64% of respondents is from Europe, followed by a 23% of America, a 9% from Asia and 1% and 2% from Africa and Oceania, respectively.
More than a 50% of the respondents are new in Barcelona, which confirms that the city is generally perceived as open and accepting international talent.
Barcelona has accelerated its profile as a tech and research city, with a great capacity to attract STEM talent, with more than a 40% of the respondents working on this sector.
Most of the respondents have a graduate degree: 59% have a master’s degree, and 14% have a Doctoral Degree.
Only the 28% of the respondents plans to leave Barcelona, while the 48% pretends to stay.
While nearly half of the respondents have no plans to leave, a significant portion expressed intentions to leave within a few years or the distant future. Affordability, job opportunities, and career prospects are key factors influencing decisions to stay or leave.
>
  • Gender & age
  • Nationality by country
  • Amount of time living in Barcelona
  • Professional Status: Main Industry
  • Professional Status: Educational degree
  • Plans for leaving Barcelona
  • Reasons for leaving Barcelona
53%
Female
47%
Male
47%
35-49 years old
36%
18-34 years old
17%
50+ years old
23% America
1% Africa
64% Europe
9% Asia
2% Oceania
11%
Spain
11%
Italy
10%
France
6%
United States
6%
Germany
6%
United
Kingdom
4%
Argentina
34%
Less than 2 years
30%
More than 10 years
20%
3-5 years
17%
6-10 years
20%
Computer / Technology /
Software
13%
Research
9%
Health Care / Pharmaceuticals
8%
Consulting
6%
Education
5%
Services
4%
Banking / Financial Services / Venture Capital
4%
Real Estate
3%
Other Industry
3%
Media/ Publishing / Advertising
3%
Tourism / Accomodation / Food Industry
3%
Manufacturing
2%
Biotechnology
2%
Non-governmental Organizations
2%
Legal
59%
Master’s Degree
24%
Bachelor’s Degree
14%
Doctoral Degree
4%
High school diploma or equivalent
48%
Not considering
leaving
23%
Unsure
18%
Will leave within a few years from now
10%
Will leave in the distant future
20%
New job or transfer
20%
Better opportunity elsewhere
13%
Economic situation
10%
Political situation
9%
Difficulty of partner to find adequate job
9%
Other
8%
Tax issues
6%
Children’s
education
5%
Retirement
10 global
indicators
Barcelona’s cosmopolitan appeal and attractive lifestyle make it an interesting destination for international talent. However, addressing challenges related to cost of living, taxes and low salaries and complex administrative procedures will be critical to maintaining its global competitiveness in the future.
Top 10
indicators
Barcelona remains a particularly popular location for its lifestyle and living conditions and it has all the ingredients to attract and retain international talent: city transportation, cultural offer, healthcare system, etc.
Bottom 10
indicators
One of the most important factors of the rise in the cost of living is the house prices, which is quite unsatisfactory, representing the lowest indicator in this study. For the first time, we have included in the survey a question on satisfaction with Barcelona’s air quality, which is also somewhat unsatisfactory. Taxation and administrative procedures still need to be improved.
2019
2023
Overall level of satisfaction with the international connectivity
5,99%
Barcelona considered a cosmopolitan global city
5,79%
Overall level of satisfaction with the lifestyle/living conditions
5,4%
Overall level of satisfaction with the ease of attracting international talent
5,17%
Overall level of satisfaction with managing a business
4,87%
Overall level of general satisfaction with the school system
4,79%
Overall level of satisfaction with working conditions
4,76%
Overall level of satisfaction with starting-up a business
4%
Overall level of satisfaction with the safety and the level of security in Barcelona
3,74%
Overall level of satisfaction with the cost of living in Barcelona
3,28%
Overall level of satisfaction with the international connectivity
5,99%
City transportation services (i.e metro, train taxi)
5,87%
Accessibility of sport and exercise
5,79%
Barcelona as a cosmopolitan global city
5,79%
Your personal willingness to integrate into the local community
5,77%
Cultural Offer
5,73%
Overall level of satisfaction with the private healthcare system
5,43%
Overall level of satisfaction with the lifestyle/living conditions
5,4%
How would you rate the attractiveness of Barcelona as a place for remote work
5,33%
Recommend a foreign professional to move to Barcelona for work
5,19%
Affordability of buying or renting a residence
2,6%
Level of wealth tax
2,97%
Level of administrative processes
3,02%
Cost of living in Barcelona
3,28%
Political situation
3,45%
Air quality
3,52%
Level of income tax
3,53%
Legal system
3,61%
Level of corporate tax
3,66%
Level of security in Barcelona
3,74%
Future
opportunities
Which sectors should Barcelona focus on?
We identified 5 sectors sectors the city should prioritize in the future:
Sutainability
7%
Culture/
Arts/
Music
7%
Startup
Ecosystem
6%
Education
6%
Computer / Tecnology/
Software
6%
Tourism / Accomodation/
Food Industry
5%
Biotechnology
5%
AI
5%
Research
5%
Services
4%
Sports
4%
Banking
Financial Services
Venture Capital
3%
Government/
Public Services
3%
Consulting
3%
Fashion
3%
Real Estate
3%
Non-Government
Organisation
2%
Energy / Chemical
2%
Media / Publishing/
Advertising
2%
Telecommunications
2%
Maritime
2%
Gaming
2%
Aerospace/
Aircraft/
Airline
1%
Retail &
Wholesale
1%
Manufacturing
1%
Automotive
1%
Legal
1%
Defence
0%
1. Sustainability
Sustainability is a growing concern globally, and Barcelona can position itself as a leader in sustainable practices to drive economic growth while preserving the environment.
2. Culture, Arts, and Music
Culture, arts, and music play a significant role in the city’s identity and tourism. Providing a strategic vision can enhance Barcelona’s attractiveness as a cultural destination.
3. Education
Investing in education is essential for long-term development to lead to a skilled workforce and drive innovation.
4. Computer, Technology, and Software
Barcelona can leverage its resources and infrastructure to support technological advancements, attract companies and serve the city’s social and economic development.
5. Startup Ecosystem
Fostering entrepreneurship can contribute to economic growth, innovation, social development and attract talent.
Integration
Barcelona is generally perceived as open and accepting of international talent. However, the feeling of social integration has slightly decreased, highlighting the importance to build bridges between Barcelonians and international communities to increase this sense of belonging.

Prevalence / Commonness of the Catalan language in your experience.

48% of the respondents think that Catalan is either enriching their experience or not affecting their experience in any way. Also, nearly 35% respondents answered that it poses a higher adaptation challenge, even if they can cope with it.
2019
2023
Personal willingness to integrate into the local community
5,77%
Extent to which you would recommend a foreign professional to move to Barcelona for work
5,19%
Overall level of satisfaction with your social integration in Barcelona
4,9%
Openness and acceptance of Barcelona society towards internationals
4,8%
Overall level of satisfaction with the prevelance / commonness of the use of English in Barcelona
4,58%
Feeling of belonging to Barcelona's local community
4,37%
Prevalence / Commonness of the Catalan language in your experience.
35%
Poses a higher adaptation challenge for me but I can cope with it
24%
It is not affecting my experience in any relevant way
24%
It is enriching my personal experience
12%
It is making my experience rather unsatisfactory
4%
It is affecting me to the extent that I am considering leaving the city mainly because of this reason
Education
In terms of education, international schools remain popular but are perceived as too expensive and the affordability of international schools remains a significant issue that particularly affects international senior talent.
The satisfaction level with the academic quality of universities or higher education has remained positive and stable over the last years.
What school do your children attend in Barcelona?
37%
International school
26%
Concertada
19%
Public local
school
9%
Private local
school
8%
Other
2%
A different
school overseas
2019
2023
Overall level of general satisfaction with the school system
4,79%
4,7%
Level of satisfaction with the academic quality of the universities or higher education
5,16%
5,2%
Sustainability
City transportation
The 89% of the respondents are satisfied with the city transportation. Although they stressed out the importance of developing efficient public transport connecting Barcelona with its Metropolitan Area.
Which transport you use the most?
The satisfaction with city transport has increased and is perceived as an important asset. Alternative modes of transport to the car represent most transportation modes used by survey respondents.
How satisfied are you with the air quality in Barcelona?
Barcelona, like many major cities, has a problem with air pollution, which adversely affects public health and the environment. Implementing policies that prioritize urban greening initiatives can help combat the heat island effect, improve air quality, and create recreational spaces.
1,4%
Very unsatisfied
2,5%
Quite satisfied
3,5%
Somewhat unsatisfied
4,1%
Neutral
14,6%
Somewhat satisfied
35,2%
Quite satisfied
38,6%
Very satisfied
1%
Others
2,4%
Walking
6,8%
Moto
14,5%
Bike
17,6%
Car
57,8%
Public transport
3,4%
Very satisfied
12,2%
Very unsatisfied
12,5%
Quite satisfied
14%
Somewhat satisfied
17,4%
Neutral
19,6%
Quite unsatisfied
21%
Somewhat unsatisfied
> Calls to action 2023
1
Improving taxation and push for more competitive salaries
Barcelona scores very high in terms of attractiveness for international professionals and as a location for entrepreneurship. Nevertheless, there are pending issues to maintain Barcelona’s competitiveness, among stakeholders that play an energizing, fundamental role in the local economy.
2
Push for more affordable housing
Developing a comprehensive strategy for affordable and social housing, with public and private collaboration, should be one of Barcelona’s top priorities, as it is a real issue for international and local talent.
3
Simplifying and digitalizing administrative procedures
Although the City Council has launched several initiatives to simplify and digitalize administrative procedures such as the Barcelona International Welcome Desk, there is still work to be done to simplify administrative procedures and make them more digital.
4
Push for affordable international schools and internationalization of higher education
Barcelona has difficulties attracting senior talent due to the lack of an affordable, accessible international schools for their children. Barcelona needs to address this issue to improve its attractiveness among this kind of talent that generates important economic activity and local jobs. Barcelona needs to internationalize its higher education to improve its international knowledge and influence.
5
Push for more sustainable policies and practices
It is crucial that Barcelona implements policies that reduce emissions from vehicles and industrial activities and encourage cleaner energy sources. Also, an effective and well-connected public transportation system between Barcelona and its metropolitan area is essential.
6
Promoting the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion
Barcelona must embrace equity, diversity, and inclusion, not only for a moral imperative but also a strategic move that can drive innovation, enhance employee productivity, and foster long-term success for companies and organizations.
What does the international professionals who live and work in Barcelona think about the city?
About us
Barcelona Global is a private, independent and non-profit association composed by 244 of the city's leading companies, research centres, entrepreneurs, business schools, universities and cultural institutions, and more than 930 professionals aiming to make Barcelona one of the world's best cities for talent, and economic activity.
The association has a network of more than 160 members who are living and working abroad, and 16% of international members that chose Barcelona as their ideal city to live and work in.
Barcelona Global develops strategic proposals for the future of Barcelona, promotes specific projects together with its partners, and mobilizes them so they get to know the city and each other, to ultimately better support and promote Barcelona as a global talent hub.
Make it happen! Con el apoyo de:
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