While the sun may power Spain's impressive renewable energy revolution, a far broader industrial transformation is quietly unfolding, fueled by €198.5 billion in manufacturing output and over two million skilled workers driving resilient growth.
Key Takeaways
- In 2023, Spain's manufacturing sector output grew by 2.1% year-over-year, reaching €198.5 billion in value added
- Spain's industrial production index for manufacturing stood at 105.3 in December 2023 (2015=100), marking a 1.8% increase from the previous year
- The manufacturing sector employed 2.12 million people in Spain as of Q4 2023, accounting for 11.2% of total employment
- Spain's installed renewable energy capacity reached 60 GW in 2023, with 50% from wind power
- Renewable energy generated 50.1% of Spain's electricity in 2023, totaling 137 TWh
- Solar photovoltaic capacity in Spain was 25 GW at end of 2023, up 28% from 2022
- Spain's construction sector grew 4.2% in 2023, with turnover €140 billion
- Building construction permits issued 105,000 units in 2023, up 15%
- Civil engineering works value €45 billion in 2023
- Spain's mining production index rose 1.5% in 2023 to 102.4 (2015=100)
- Copper mine output 45,000 tons in 2023
- Iron ore production 1.2 million tons from Riotinto mines in 2023
- Food processing industry turnover €120 billion in 2023, employing 600,000
- Meat processing output 4.5 million tons in 2023
- Olive oil production 1.2 million tons in 2023/24 campaign
Spain's industry grew moderately in 2023, supported by construction, food processing, and renewable energy.
Construction
1Spain's construction sector grew 4.2% in 2023, with turnover €140 billion
Verified2Building construction permits issued 105,000 units in 2023, up 15%
Verified3Civil engineering works value €45 billion in 2023
Verified4Housing starts 90,000 in 2023
Directional5Construction employment 1.35 million in Q4 2023, 6.8% of total jobs
Single source6Residential construction investment €25 billion in 2023
Verified7Non-residential building permits €12 billion value in 2023
Verified8Road construction contracts awarded €8.5 billion in 2023
Verified9Construction material prices rose 5.1% in 2023
Directional10Productivity in construction 1.2% growth in 2023
Single source11Construction firms numbered 450,000 in 2023
Verified12Public works budget execution 85% in 2023, €30 billion
Verified13Renovation and rehabilitation market €7 billion in 2023
Verified14Steel used in construction 12 million tons in 2023
Directional15Cement production 22 million tons in 2023, down 2%
Single source16Construction waste recycled 85% in 2023
Verified17Energy-efficient buildings certified 15,000 in 2023
Verified18BIM adoption in construction projects 40% in 2023
Verified19Construction export services €5 billion in 2023
Directional20Labor accidents in construction 25% of total sectoral in 2023
Single source21Digitalization investment €1.5 billion in construction 2023
Verified22Affordable housing completions 20,000 units in 2023
Verified23Railway infrastructure investment €4 billion in 2023
Verified24Port expansion projects €2.5 billion ongoing 2023
Directional25Water infrastructure works €1.8 billion in 2023
Single source26Construction PMI averaged 52.1 in 2023
VerifiedConstruction Interpretation
Spain's construction sector is striding forward with a 4.2% growth, €140 billion in hand, and permits aplenty, yet it’s walking a tightrope between rising costs, lingering safety concerns, and a pressing need to build not just more, but smarter and more affordably.
Energy
1Spain's installed renewable energy capacity reached 60 GW in 2023, with 50% from wind power
Verified2Renewable energy generated 50.1% of Spain's electricity in 2023, totaling 137 TWh
Verified3Solar photovoltaic capacity in Spain was 25 GW at end of 2023, up 28% from 2022
Verified4Wind energy production hit 62 TWh in 2023, covering 25% of national demand
Directional5Spain's natural gas consumption for electricity was 45 TWh in 2023, down 15% YoY
Single source6Nuclear power plants generated 55 TWh in 2023, 22% of total electricity
Verified7Hydropower output was 25 TWh in 2023, affected by drought
Verified8Spain's electricity demand grew 2.3% to 248 TWh in 2023
Verified9Coal-fired power generation dropped to 1.2 TWh in 2023
Directional10Energy intensity in Spain improved to 4.8 toe/M€ GDP in 2022
Single source11Spain imported 90% of its oil needs, 1.4 million bpd in 2023
Verified12LNG regasification capacity 28 bcm/year in 2023
Verified13Electricity exports from Spain reached 15 TWh in 2023
Verified14Residential electricity consumption 65 TWh in 2023
Directional15Industrial electricity use 85 TWh in 2023, 34% of total
Single source16Pumped storage hydropower capacity 5.5 GW in Spain 2023
Verified17Green hydrogen production target 4 GW electrolysers by 2030, investments €9 billion
Verified18Energy efficiency investments €2.5 billion in industry 2023
Verified19Spain's final energy consumption 92 Mtoe in 2022
Directional20Transport sector used 50% of oil products in 2023
Single source21Renewable share in heating and cooling 25% in 2023
Verified22Electricity price for industry averaged €120/MWh in 2023
Verified23Carbon capture projects in energy sector 3 operational in 2023
Verified24Biomass energy production 8 TWh in 2023
Directional25Geothermal energy negligible at 0.02 TWh in 2023
Single source26Energy R&D spending €1.2 billion in 2022
Verified27Spain's grid losses 6.5% of generated electricity in 2023
Verified28Offshore wind potential mapped at 30 GW by 2030
Verified29Electricity storage capacity 10 GW target by 2030
DirectionalEnergy Interpretation
Spain's energy transition is blowing in the right direction, as wind and sun are now clearly outshining gas and even nuclear, proving the country can power growth while weaning itself from volatile imports and droughts.
Food Processing
1Food processing industry turnover €120 billion in 2023, employing 600,000
Verified2Meat processing output 4.5 million tons in 2023
Verified3Olive oil production 1.2 million tons in 2023/24 campaign
Verified4Wine production 33 million hectoliters in 2023
Directional5Dairy products value €15 billion in 2023
Single source6Bakery and pastry turnover €18 billion, 500,000 jobs 2023
Verified7Canned fish exports €3.5 billion in 2023
Verified8Fruit and vegetable processing 12 million tons processed 2023
Verified9Sugar production 800,000 tons from beet 2023
Directional10Frozen food sales €4.2 billion in 2023
Single source11Organic food processing growth 12% in 2023
Verified12Poultry processing 1.8 million tons in 2023
Verified13Jam and preserves market €1.5 billion 2023
Verified14Baby food production €900 million turnover 2023
Directional15Snack foods growth 8% to €2 billion 2023
Single source16Food R&D investment €1.8 billion in 2023
Verified17Export share 45% of food processing output 2023
Verified18Sustainability certifications 70% of processors 2023
Verified19Packaging innovation €500 million invested 2023
Directional20E-commerce food sales 20% growth to €10 billion 2023
Single source21Halal food processing exports €1 billion 2023
Verified22Vegan product lines doubled to 500 in 2023
Verified23Traceability systems 90% adoption 2023
Verified24Energy efficiency saved €200 million in processing 2023
Directional25Labor productivity €120,000 per worker 2023
Single source26CO2 reduction 15% in processing emissions 2023
Verified27Automation robots installed 5,000 units 2023
Verified28New plants opened 50 in 2023
VerifiedFood Processing Interpretation
Spain's food industry, a €120-billion juggernaut, masterfully balances its deep roots in olive oil, wine, and jam with a modern appetite for robots, vegan lines, and e-commerce, proving that feeding the world sustainably is a serious business best served with a side of innovation.
Manufacturing
1In 2023, Spain's manufacturing sector output grew by 2.1% year-over-year, reaching €198.5 billion in value added
Verified2Spain's industrial production index for manufacturing stood at 105.3 in December 2023 (2015=100), marking a 1.8% increase from the previous year
Verified3The manufacturing sector employed 2.12 million people in Spain as of Q4 2023, accounting for 11.2% of total employment
Verified4Food and beverage manufacturing subsector contributed €38.4 billion to Spain's GDP in 2022, representing 19.3% of total manufacturing value added
Directional5Spain's machinery and equipment manufacturing output was €25.7 billion in 2023, up 3.4% from 2022
Single source6Metal products manufacturing in Spain produced 4.2 million tons of steel in 2023
Verified7Textiles and apparel manufacturing employed 120,000 workers in Spain in 2022, with exports reaching €12.5 billion
Verified8Spain's wood and paper products manufacturing turnover was €14.8 billion in 2023
Verified9Electrical equipment manufacturing in Spain grew by 4.1% in 2023, valued at €11.2 billion
Directional10Plastic products manufacturing output in Spain reached 5.8 million tons in 2022
Single source11Furniture manufacturing sector in Spain had a turnover of €7.9 billion in 2023, exporting 50% of production
Verified12Pharmaceutical manufacturing value added was €13.4 billion in Spain in 2022
Verified13Rubber products manufacturing in Spain produced €3.2 billion in sales in 2023
Verified14Non-metallic mineral products manufacturing turnover €22.1 billion in 2023
Directional15Printing and reproduction of recorded media sector employed 45,000 in Spain 2023
Single source16Spain's manufacturing PMI averaged 50.8 in 2023, indicating slight expansion
Verified17Computer, electronic and optical products manufacturing output €9.6 billion in 2022
Verified18Repair and installation of machinery subsector grew 2.5% in 2023
Verified19Spain's manufacturing energy consumption was 145 TWh in 2022
Directional20Value added per worker in manufacturing reached €85,000 in 2023
Single source21Manufacturing R&D expenditure in Spain was €4.2 billion in 2022, 2.1% of sales
Verified22Spain exported €112 billion in manufactured goods in 2023
Verified23Imported raw materials for manufacturing cost €78 billion in 2023
Verified24Manufacturing productivity index at 112.4 (2015=100) in 2023
Directional25Capacity utilization in manufacturing averaged 78% in 2023
Single source26Spain's manufacturing CO2 emissions totaled 45 Mt in 2022
Verified27Investment in manufacturing assets €18.5 billion in 2023
Verified28Manufacturing orders index rose 3.2% in 2023
Verified29External demand drove 60% of manufacturing growth in 2023
Directional30Manufacturing wage growth was 4.5% in 2023
Single sourceManufacturing Interpretation
Despite a steady, if unspectacular, expansion fueled largely by exports, Spain’s manufacturing sector reveals itself as a surprisingly robust engine—powered by gourmet food, practical machinery, and increasingly valuable labor—while cautiously navigating the modern demands of energy, emissions, and global competition.
Mining
1Spain's mining production index rose 1.5% in 2023 to 102.4 (2015=100)
Verified2Copper mine output 45,000 tons in 2023
Verified3Iron ore production 1.2 million tons from Riotinto mines in 2023
Verified4Potash mining in Navarra produced 800,000 tons in 2023
Directional5Zinc concentrates output 250,000 tons in 2023
Single source6Aggregates extraction totaled 350 million tons in 2023
Verified7Mining employment 25,000 direct jobs in 2023
Verified8Mining sector turnover €5.2 billion in 2023
Verified9Gold production 5 tons from Asturias mines in 2023
Directional10Gypsum mining output 7 million tons in 2023
Single source11Coal production declined to 2 million tons in 2023
Verified12Mining investment €450 million in 2023
Verified13Rare earth exploration permits issued 12 in 2023
Verified14Lithium projects advanced 3 in Galicia 2023
Directional15Mining royalties collected €120 million in 2023
Single source16Quarry production value €3.8 billion in 2023
Verified17Environmental rehabilitation spending €50 million in mining 2023
Verified18Mining exports €2.1 billion in 2023, mainly copper concentrates
Verified19Salt production 6 million tons from solar evaporation in 2023
Directional20Fluorspar output 100,000 tons from Murcia in 2023
Single source21Mining R&D €30 million funded in 2023
Verified22Digital twins implemented in 20 mining operations 2023
Verified23Water usage in mining 150 million m3 in 2023
Verified24Mining accident rate 2.1 per million hours worked 2023
Directional25Critical raw materials strategy identified 30 deposits in 2023
Single sourceMining Interpretation
Spain's mining sector is showing surprising signs of life, as evidenced by a modest rise in its production index and the quiet humming of essential industries from copper to salt, yet it remains a modest, safety-conscious player focused on critical materials for the future, while responsibly managing its legacy from coal's decline.
Sources & References
- Reference 1INEine.esVisit source
- Reference 2ECec.europa.euVisit source
- Reference 3STATISTAstatista.comVisit source
- Reference 4UNESIDunesid.esVisit source
- Reference 5TEXFORtexfor.esVisit source
- Reference 6ANESPLASTanesplast.comVisit source
- Reference 7ANIMEFanimef.comVisit source
- Reference 8FARMAINDUSTRIAfarmaindustria.esVisit source
- Reference 9AIREFairef.orgVisit source
- Reference 10MARKITECONOMICSmarkiteconomics.comVisit source
- Reference 11ENERDATAenerdata.netVisit source
- Reference 12DATOSMACROdatosmacro.expansion.comVisit source
- Reference 13IDIidi.gob.esVisit source
- Reference 14ICEXicex.esVisit source
- Reference 15COMTRADEcomtrade.un.orgVisit source
- Reference 16BDEbde.esVisit source
- Reference 17EDGARedgar.jrc.ec.europa.euVisit source
- Reference 18FUNCASfuncas.esVisit source
- Reference 19REEree.esVisit source
- Reference 20REDESENERGETICAS-REEredesenergeticas-ree.esVisit source
- Reference 21UNEFunef.esVisit source
- Reference 22AEEOLICAaeeolica.orgVisit source
- Reference 23ENAGASenagas.esVisit source
- Reference 24FORONUCLEARforonuclear.orgVisit source
- Reference 25CONFEDERACIONHIDROGRAFICAEBROconfederacionhidrograficaebro.esVisit source
- Reference 26MITECOmiteco.gob.esVisit source
- Reference 27COREScores.esVisit source
- Reference 28CNEcne.esVisit source
- Reference 29ENDESAendesa.comVisit source
- Reference 30IDENERGIASOSTENIBLEidenergiasostenible.esVisit source
- Reference 31ODYSSEE-MUREodyssee-mure.euVisit source
- Reference 32AVBIOENERGIAavbioenergia.esVisit source
- Reference 33CIEMATciemat.esVisit source
- Reference 34MIVAUmivau.gob.esVisit source
- Reference 35FECOSEfecose.esVisit source
- Reference 36ELPAISelpais.comVisit source
- Reference 37FOMENTOfomento.gob.esVisit source
- Reference 38CNCcnc.esVisit source
- Reference 39MPTFPmptfp.gob.esVisit source
- Reference 40GREENBUILDINGCOUNCILSPAINgreenbuildingcouncilspain.esVisit source
- Reference 41OFICEMENoficemen.comVisit source
- Reference 42CODDEcodde.esVisit source
- Reference 43BUILDINGSMARTbuildingsmart.esVisit source
- Reference 44MITESmites.gob.esVisit source
- Reference 45PLANIFICACIONplanificacion.gob.esVisit source
- Reference 46ADIFadif.esVisit source
- Reference 47PUERTOSpuertos.esVisit source
- Reference 48RIOTINTOriotinto.comVisit source
- Reference 49ATLANTICCOPPERatlanticcopper.esVisit source
- Reference 50IGEOALCALAigeoalcala.esVisit source
- Reference 51MAGNESITASNAVARRASmagnesitasnavarras.esVisit source
- Reference 52FEUIBATfeuibat.orgVisit source
- Reference 53CONFEMADERAconfemadera.esVisit source
- Reference 54RIOGLOBLANCOriogloblanco.comVisit source
- Reference 55ANPEanpe.esVisit source
- Reference 56MINASYRECURSOSENERGETICOSminasyrecursosenergeticos.gob.esVisit source
- Reference 57IGMEigme.esVisit source
- Reference 58XUNTAxunta.galVisit source
- Reference 59HACIENDAhacienda.gob.esVisit source
- Reference 60DATCOMEXdatcomex.comercio.gob.esVisit source
- Reference 61SANSALVADORTARRAGONAsansalvadortarragona.comVisit source
- Reference 62QUIMICAquimica.esVisit source
- Reference 63MINECOmineco.gob.esVisit source
- Reference 64ISMism.esVisit source
- Reference 65FIABfiab.esVisit source
- Reference 66AINTERCARNEaintercarne.comVisit source
- Reference 67INTERNATIONALOLIVEOILinternationaloliveoil.orgVisit source
- Reference 68OIVoiv.intVisit source
- Reference 69FENILfenil.esVisit source
- Reference 70ANFACOanfaco.euVisit source
- Reference 71FOMEVAfomeva.esVisit source
- Reference 72AZUCARERAazucarera.esVisit source
- Reference 73LINEAINFINITAlineainfinita.comVisit source
- Reference 74MERCASAmercasa.esVisit source
- Reference 75AVICULTURAavicultura.comVisit source
- Reference 76HEROhero.esVisit source
- Reference 77ANFESCOanfesco.esVisit source
- Reference 78CDTIcdti.esVisit source
- Reference 79ANAIPAanaipa.esVisit source
- Reference 80NIELSENnielsen.comVisit source
- Reference 81ISLAMSPAINislamspain.esVisit source
- Reference 82VEGANSPAINveganspain.esVisit source
- Reference 83MINAGROminagro.gob.esVisit source
- Reference 84IDAEidae.esVisit source
- Reference 85ASINTECasintec.esVisit source