Economic Activities in Spain: Primary, Secondary, Tertiary, and Quaternary

Spain, with a population of 47,778,340, is ranked 29th in the world, just behind Korea, Rep. It is located in southwestern Europe, covering a total area of 505,964.594 square kilometers, ranking 52nd globally, just below Thailand.

Spain’s economic position in 2022 is robust, with a GDP of $1,417,800,466,262.65, ranking 15th globally. It follows Mexico, whose GDP is slightly higher at $1,465,854,089,286.47. In terms of GDP per capita, Spain ranks 39th with $29,674.54, following Bahrain with a GDP per capita of $30,146.92.

Spain’s economy is diverse, with key industries including tourism, automotive, and agriculture contributing significantly to its GDP. The country’s economic stability and strategic investments continue to drive growth and attract foreign investment.

What are the economic activities of Spain?

Flag of Spain

Primary Sector of Spain

The primary sector in Spain, particularly its agricultural activities, thrives due to the diverse climate and abundant natural resources. With 52.48% of the land dedicated to agriculture, the country produces a variety of crops and animal products. The main agricultural products include milk, barley, wheat, grapes, pork, olives, tomatoes, maize, oranges, and sugar beets.

Despite contributing only 2.6% to the GDP, agriculture plays a vital role in providing employment and sustaining rural communities. The country’s agricultural sector benefits from its rich soil and favorable climate, ensuring a steady production of a wide range of high-quality agricultural products.

The country’s diverse geology provides a rich array of natural resources, including coal, iron ore, copper, and lead. These resources play a crucial role in the economy, supporting industries such as mining, manufacturing, and energy production. Additionally, the presence of hydropower resources and vast arable land further contributes to the country’s economic development and sustainability.

Despite its limited oil production of around 131 barrels per day, Spain ranks 75th in the world. With oil reserves of 150 million barrels, accounting for only 0.01% of global reserves, the country’s oil economic activity is relatively small compared to its other natural resources.

Spain’s natural gas production in 2020 reached 62 million m³, ranking 85th globally. This production significantly contributes to the country’s energy sector, supporting economic growth and sustainability.

Secondary Sector of Spain

What is the secondary sector or what are secondary activities?

The secondary sector involves industries that transform raw materials from primary activities into finished products for consumption. In Spain, the main industrial products include textiles, food, metals, chemicals, automobiles, shipbuilding, pharmaceuticals, and medical equipment.

Manufactures play a crucial role in Spain’s total exports, accounting for 65.71% in 2023. They drive economic growth, create jobs, and contribute significantly to the country’s trade balance.

Tertiary sector of Spain

What is the tertiary sector or what are tertiary activities?

The tertiary sector in Spain encompasses various services where individuals provide knowledge and time to enhance productivity and meet needs. It involves intangible goods like advice and expertise, catering to both consumers and businesses. Key tertiary activities in Spain include restaurants, healthcare, education, banking, tourism, transportation, and telecommunications.

Of particular importance, Spain’s economy relies heavily on tourism, contributing significantly to its GDP. With an impressive 126,170,000 annual arrivals, surpassing the country’s population by 2.6407 times, popular destinations like Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia and Madrid’s Prado Museum attract millions of visitors yearly, driving substantial economic growth.

Another example of tertiary economic activity is the mobile cellular sector, with approximately 59 million subscriptions, equating to 124 per 100 inhabitants. This connectivity fosters technological advancements and innovation.

Military Activities and Economic Sectors of Spain

The military is a good example of many economic activities. In the primary sector, resources are extracted for military use, like metals for weapons. The secondary sector includes the manufacturing of military equipment, which creates jobs and boosts the economy. The tertiary sector involves services provided by the military, such as training and logistics. The quaternary sector focuses on research and development, while the quinary sector deals with high-level military decisions and strategies.

In Spain, the military expenditure for 2023 is about 23,699.1 million US dollars, which is 1.46% of the country’s GDP. Spain has an active military force of 120,350 personnel. This means there are about 4.4 active military members for every 1,000 people in the country.

Biggest company in Spain

Which is the biggest company in Spain? The largest company is Iberdrola, with a market value of 70.26 billion USD. It operates in the energy industry, focusing on renewable sources. Founded in 1992, Iberdrola plays a crucial role in Spain’s primary economic sector.

International Trade of Spain

Import Activities of Spain

imports of Spain crude petroleum natural gas garments cars vehicle parts accessories

Spain heavily relies on imports, accounting for 39.66% of its GDP in 2023, highlighting the significant role import activities play in the country’s economy.

Spain’s import activities are diverse, with key partners like Germany, China, France, Italy, and the US. Imports include crude petroleum, natural gas, garments, cars, and vehicle parts/accessories.

Exports Activities of Spain

exports of Spain cars refined petroleum garments packaged medicine vehicle parts accessories

In Spain, export activities play a highly important role, accounting for over 40% of the GDP in 2023, totaling 420 billion euros. This demonstrates a significant reliance on international trade for economic growth and stability.

Spain’s export activities are diverse, with top partners being France, Germany, Portugal, Italy, and the UK. Key export commodities include cars, refined petroleum, garments, packaged medicine, and vehicle parts/accessories.

Spain economy challenges in 2024

In 2024, Spain faces challenges with high government debt, a tight labor market, and lower innovation rankings. Despite strong growth from public consumption and tourism, structural unemployment remains high, impacting economic freedom and competitiveness within the EU and eurozone.

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