The Basque Country, Navarre, Extremadura and Galicia were the four Autonomous Communities in Spain to lead economic growth during 2008, while Valencia registered the least activity in its economy, according to a report on Regional Accountability 2000-2008 developed by the Spanish Institute of Statistics.

Specifically, the Basque Country came out top in regional growth in 2008, with an increment of 2% in its Gross Domestic Product, followed by Navarre on 1.9% and Extremadura and Galicia, both on 1.7%. The growth in GDP in the whole of Spain has been put at 0.9% for the year 2008.

Between 2000 and 2008

In the period 2000-2008, the entire Spanish state registered an average growth in GDP of 3.09%.

Growth in Navarre was at 3.13% and in the Basque Country at 3.02%. Both followed Murcia, which, at 3.59%, registered the highest growth for the entire period.

In terms of GDP per inhabitant, the Basque Country came out top in 2008 on 31,952 euros, followed by the Community of Madrid (30,998 euros), Navarre (30,402 euros) and Catalonia (27,914 euros). The Basque Country therefore exceeded the average European rate of GDP per capita by 37%, followed by Madrid (33% higher), Navarre (31%) and Catalonia (20%).