Spain is one of the leading global economic powers: the 4th largest recipient of FDI among developed countries¹. Spain´s appeal for foreign investors lies not only in its domestic market, boasting considerable purchasing power, but also in the possibility of operating in third-country markets using Spain as a base, courtesy of its privileged geostrategic position: it belongs to the European Union and is the gateway to North Africa and Latin America (due to its strong economic, historic and cultural ties in this latter case).

Furthermore, Spain is a modern knowledge-based economy with services accounting for 71.09 percent² of economic activity. The country has become a center of innovation supported by a young, highly-qualified work force and competitive costs.

In these pages you will find Spain's vital statistics - the latest facts and figures which explain the demographics, the political framework and the economic structure of the country.

^{1 “World Investment Report 2009” (2008 figures)}

^{2 Eurostat, Q3 of 2009}

This chapter includes the following topics:

• Spain in numbers
• Exchange control regulations

Prepared by Garrigues

Last updated: 24|02|2010