If you were asked today what Spain is, you could answer that it represents a splendid combination of economic potential, culture and quality of life. Spain has recorded extraordinary expansion over the past four decades. Its economy has grown by 2.3 times, making it one of the European countries showing the greatest levels of expansion. In terms of growth, Spain led the large Eurozone nations in 2019 with a rise in GDP of 2%. We have 48 World Heritage Sites, making us the third-placed country worldwide in terms of outstanding locations – a cultural legacy that we renew every year by receiving almost 50,000 international university students, making Spain the most sought-after Erasmus destination. Our lifestyle and quality of life are unique, with an 8,000 km long coastline, 3,000 hours of sunshine per year and more than 500 blue flag beaches.
The same Spain has now suffered the terrible human and economic impact of COVID-19. This pandemic has plunged us into one of the most delicate situations in our recent history, exposing the growing need to understand how to respond to future risks in an ever more unpredictable world. Conscious of the urgency and importance of our country being prepared for whatever the coming world throws at us, Círculo de Empresarios and Boston Consulting Group have joined forces to produce this report, aimed at providing a guide to the essential economic transformation of Spain. We must make the most of this crisis, not only to rebuild that which has been swept away, but also to emerge with a stronger, more competitive and sustainable economic model. We have the conviction that our country possesses the necessary talent and resources to continue leading growth over the coming years and hope to contribute to making this a reality. In conjunction with the BCG, and advised by a number of its members at the head of leading businesses in the main productive sectors, Círculo de Empresarios has brought together in this report the trends that will determine our future, proposing 14 priorities to make the coming chapter of our history a successful one.
