GSMA MWC Barcelona 2024 surpasses half a billion euros in economic impact on the local economy 

This article is published in association with GSMA.

World’s largest and most influential connectivity event generated over half a billion of economic impact for the first time, creating over 9,200 part-time jobs across the city of Barcelona during the 2024 edition 

7 June 2024, London  MWC Barcelona 2024 contributed €502mn to the Barcelona economy, according to an economic impact report released by the GSMA, bringing the event’s total economic contribution to €6.3bn since 2006. The 0.5 billion euros in economic impact is over twice that of the inaugural edition of MWC in Barcelona, which was held in 2006. 

MWC Barcelona 2024, which welcomed more than 101,000 attendees across four days in February also created 9,200 part time jobs in the city of Barcelona, an increase of 100 jobs compared to 2023. Cumulative, since 2006, MWC Barcelona is estimated to have generated over 160,000 part-time jobs across Catalonia.  

This year’s edition of MWC cemented its reputation for vibrant discussion, networking, industry launches, policymaker gatherings as well as convening industry leaders and attendees from across the mobile ecosystem. With its unique combination of exhibition, conference and the largest gathering of policymakers who enable the digital economy, MWC is undeniably the world’s largest and most influential connectivity event.  

MWC Barcelona 2024 in numbers: 

• €502mn of economic impact generated 
• More than 9,200 part time jobs created 
• €6.3bn contributed to the Barcelona economy in total since 2006  
• More than 101,000 attendees from 205 countries and territories 
• More than 2,700 exhibitors, sponsors and partners 
• Over 59% of attendees representing industries adjacent to the core mobile ecosystem 
• Over 1,100 speakers and thought leaders, including over 40% female speakers 
• 51% of attendees at director level or above, 21% of whom were C-suite 
• The GSMA Ministerial Programme convened over 180 delegations from 140 countries, including 2 heads of state, over 70 ministers, nearly 120 heads of regulatory authorities and over 40 intergovernmental organisations. 

“Our contribution to the prosperity and economic opportunities of Barcelona is clear, and we are delighted and proud to be part of the success of this city which means so much to us. MWC and Barcelona is the perfect combination of innovation, collaboration and mutual success – without the support of Host City Partners and the people of Barcelona, we wouldn’t be able to put on such a successful event, year after year. We are so grateful for this public-private partnership,” said GSMA Ltd.’s CEO, John Hoffman.  

Jordi Valls, fourth deputy mayor of Barcelona City Council, expressed his gratitude for the results, stating, “The news today of MWC’s economic impact to Barcelona is a message of confidence in the city, and is evidence of our shared success. After 18 years of relationship, we can affirm that the MWC is much more than just a congress for Barcelona, and that Barcelona is much more than just a city for the GSMA.”  

The economic impact generated by MWC includes direct impact (i.e. the additional expenditure in the host economy due to MWC, indirect impact (i.e. the “ripple effect” as direct expenditure is recycled through the economy, and a significant tax inflow to the Government as a result of hosting MWC. It is calculated by  an independently verified process and has been measured since 2006. 

The benefits of MWC Barcelona extend beyond the value it brings to the global mobile and technology sectors during the event’s annual week – it provides a legacy all year round. MWC is a vital creator of prospects and economic opportunities that benefit the citizens of Barcelona, Catalonia and Spain. Since it came to Barcelona in 2006, MWC has evolved to include an entire ecosystem that serves all, with a range of programmes and activities such as the Mobile World Capital and mSchools