BBC World Service Online

In the Balance

Discussion & Talk

Factual: Money

The biggest financial stories and why they matter to us all.

In the Balance: Catalan Independence - for Richer or Poorer?

Catalan Independence - for Richer or Poorer?

14/10/2017 GMT

BBC World Service - In the Balance, Catalan Independence - for Richer or Poorer?

Would independence make Catalonia richer?

Would independence from the rest of Spain harm Catalonia's economy?

In the Balance reports this week from Catalonia, Spain's strongest economic region. The Catalan leader has declared that the region has won the right to independence, following a referendum declared illegal by the Spanish state.  But what about the economy?  Catalonia accounts for nearly 20% of Spain's GDP, but who would stand to lose most if the region breaks away?  Manuela Saragosa travels to the Catalan capital Barcelona to hear from business people, economists and workers on whether Catalonia can afford to go it alone.

(Picture: Protesters wave Spanish and Catalan flags in Barcelona on October 12, 2017.  Credit: JORGE GUERRERO/AFP/Getty Images)

BBC World Service

BBC World Service Australasia

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa Schedule

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa

BBC World Service schedule for American satellite radio and the Caribbean

BBC World Service Americas and the Caribbean

BBC World Service South Asia

BBC World Service Europe and the Middle East

BBC World Service West and Central Africa Schedule

Accessibility links

Programme Index

In the Balance

Catalan Independence - for Richer or Poorer?

Genres

Formats

Brand

BBC World Service Online

About BBC World Service