What lies behind Madrid's growing economic leadership over Catalonia: 350,000 workers living in another community

The economic leadership of Madrid over Catalonia is attributed to a significant number of workers commuting from other regions. The productivity levels are similar, but Madrid has a higher employment rate. A report indicates that the GDP per capita of Madrid is overstated due to this commuting phenomenon. While Catalonia's economy is growing, the gap in GDP per capita has widened over the years. The cost of living, particularly housing, is rising, impacting real wages despite nominal increases. The construction of new homes is not keeping pace with demand, exacerbating the housing crisis.