The industry of the Basque Autonomous Community accounted for 19.8% of total employment in 2024, exceeding the state average (11.4%) and that of the EU-27 (15.3%). The main sectors of employment were Metallurgy and metal products (32.5%), Manufacture of machinery and equipment (11.3%), and Manufacture of transport equipment (9.8%).
Regarding gross value added, industry generated 23.0% of the total GVA of the Basque Autonomous Community, surpassing the figures for Germany (20.9%), EU-27 (17.2%), and Spain (14.3%). However, manufacturing business turnover decreased by 1.0%, except in Gipuzkoa (a 1.2% increase).
Productivity reached €79,700, above the Spanish figure (€74,200), but below the economies of France (€90,500) or Germany (€96,400). In foreign trade, a trade surplus of €3,921 million was achieved, with a coverage rate of 114.3%.
6.5% of industrial activities had a high technological level, and 38.3% of R&D expenditure was linked to industry. Furthermore, the average size of industrial establishments was 17.9 employees.
