The Urola-Costa region accounted for the greatest growth in industrial activity in 2006 (13.9%), followed by Tolosa (11.8%) with Gernika-Bermeo and Plentzia-Mungia, both at 11.4%, according to Eustat data. On the opposite end of the spectrum was the only region with negative growth, Encartaciones (-3.1%). Valles Alaveses followed at +0.9% and then Estribaciones del Gorbea (+1.3%), although these three regions only represent 3% of total industrial employment in the A.C. of the Basque Country, some 7,952 people.

Three regions which include the three provincial capitals and their catchment areas, accounted for slightly over half (50.8%) of the industrial wealth created in the A.C of the Basque Country in 2006. Overall industrial employment rose to 118.291 people or 47.2% of total industrial employment in the three provinces.

By province, Gipuzkoa presented the greatest inter-regional balance with above average growth in added value in six of its seven regions. Overall growth was 8.6% with the three fasting growing regions, Urola-Costa (13.9%), Tolosa (11.8%) and Goiherri (9.6%) representing 36% of the total value added for the province. Other heavily industrialised areas such as Alto Deba and Donostialdea also showed above average growth at 9.0% and 6.3%, respectively.

At 4.6% Bizkaia was second in terms of growth and generated 41.6% of the industrial added value for the A.C of the Basque Country, employing 103,715 people (41.3%) in the sector. Within this province, Plentzia-Mungia and Gernika-Bermeo presented the best results, both with added value growth at 11.4%. The region with the least growth of the province, Encartaciones, was also the region with the least growth in the Autonomous Community.

Álava, with 3.8% growth since 2005, contributed 20.1% of total industrial wealth generated in the A.C of the Basque Country in 2006. The regions with the highest growth were Montaña Alavesa (9.1%), Cantábrica Alavesa (7.5%) and Rioja Alavesa (5.9%). The heaviest industrialised region of Álava, la Llanada Alavesa, with 62% of the added value of the province, showed below average growth for both the province and the A.C. of the Basque Country.

There was a moderate change in the number of personnel employed in 2006 with an increase of 0.5%. The regions with the greatest increase were Arratia-Nervión (5.0%), Plentzia-Mungia (4.0%) and Tolosa at 3.4%. On the other end of the spectrum, 7 regions went down, notably Estirbaciones del Borbea with a decline in industrial employment of 5.1% and Encartaciones with a decline of 3.3%.

Personnel employed and Added Value at industrial factor cost by region. 2006. Thousands of euros.

Source: Eustat