La Noguera, with 5.1%, is the Catalan comarca that grew the most in 2025, followed by El Solsonès (4.5%) and El Segriá (3.7%). The primary sector in Lérida, which rose by 13.6%, drives the province's dynamism.
The Catalan economy grew by 3% in 2025 in terms of Gross Value Added (GVA), according to the annual report prepared by BBVA with detailed comarca data for Catalonia, a snapshot that dates back to the time of Caixa de Cataluña. The document, advanced by eldebate.com, confirms that the territory does not progress uniformly and that the comarcas of Lérida have been pulling the cart.
La Noguera, with its capital in Balaguer, was the Catalan comarca with the highest growth: its GVA increased by 5.1%, the only territory in Catalonia that surpassed the 5% mark. It was closely followed by El Solsonès, with its capital in Solsona, which grew by 4.5%.
Three other Lérida comarcas recorded a 3.7%: El Segriá, whose capital is Lérida; El Urgell, with its capital in Tárrega; and El Pla d'Urgell. Overall, the province of Lérida is ahead of Barcelona and its surroundings and Girona, which grew by 3.5%.
The engine behind this performance lies in agriculture. The primary sector in Lérida grew by 13.6% last year, driven by good harvests and price moderation. In a province where the primary sector still represents 8% of the economy, this boost has a direct effect on the whole.
"Good harvests and price moderation explain the growth of the province of Lérida," says Josep Oliver, the report's director.
The economist warns that this tailwind may change in the current fiscal year: price moderation will no longer be an ally with inflation at its peak.
Behind Lérida, the metropolitan area of Barcelona grew by 2.9%; the central area of Catalonia, which includes cities like Manresa or Vic, by 2.7%; the Pyrenean area, by 2%; and the Ebro area, in southern Tarragona, by 1.3%, weighed down by problems in the energy sector. Tarragona and its area of influence remained at 2.2%. In 2024, the engine had been Girona.
Only two comarcas saw a decline, both in the interior of Tarragona and in the Ebro area: La Terra Alta, with its capital in Gandesa, fell by 2.3%, and La Ribera de Ebro, with its capital in Mora de Ebro, by 0.3%.
By sectors, the primary sector grew by 9.4%; construction by 5.4%; services by 3%; and industry by 1.5%. Strong domestic demand supports the strength of the overall Catalan economy.
For the residents of the province of Lérida, the report confirms that the comarcas of Poniente and Segre are gaining weight on the Catalan economic map, although the challenge is to ensure that this momentum does not solely depend on a good agricultural campaign.
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