👥 Catalonia's population has grown by *1.7 million* inhabitants in the first quarter of the 21st century, going from 6.2 million to more than 8 million. 🗣️ *Immigration* has been the main driver of this population growth, as foreign nationals now make up 25% of all Catalan residents. Thanks to the newly arrived population, and despite the sustained decline in the birth rate, Catalonia's population has grown by almost 30% in the past 25 years. 📍 Only four of the 27 EU member states have seen a higher *growth rate* during this period. Of the 20 million new citizens that the bloc has gained in this time, one in ten is resident in Catalonia. Read more ➡️ https://bit.ly/3L5EoD4

2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣5️⃣ *Catalonia's 2025* 🏡 Another year is now over, and 2025 ends with the housing crisis as the primary concern for Catalans. Thousands protested the current situation while governments are trying to regulate the market and expand public housing options 💡 However, 2025 will be mainly remembered for April 28's blackout across Spain. Over 50 million people were left without electricity for many hours, with many looking for torches and candles Read more ➡️ https://bit.ly/3Yfc9ok

*💶 2026 prices* 💰 Catalonia is entering 2026 with a wave of price changes across transport, *utilities*, and everyday goods. 🚍 Public transport fares, taxi rates, *highway tolls*, and airport charges are all set to increase, while pensions and civil servant salaries also rise. 📉 The *minimum wage*, meanwhile, remains frozen pending a government agreement. 🎫 Public transport *discounts* will remain in place, but tickets for metro, bus, train and tram are set to rise around 3.5% from January 15. 🔗 Read more ➡️ https://bit.ly/4qD5VLf

📧 *NEWSLETTER OUT* 🎄 Christmastime ➡️ Happy Christmas! We hope you're avoiding the miserable weather and enjoying time with loved ones. If you're at home, check out our newsletter for a list of films to get to know Barcelona and Catalonia better, while we've also got a list of things to do during the festive period around the territory. 🍽️ Canelons ➡️ Unlike most of Spain, December 26 is a public holiday in Catalonia. The essential dinner item on that day is canelons, more commonly known in English by their Italian name, cannelloni. Catalans eat over four million canelons during the Christmas period, according to the Catalan Butchers Guild. The dish was voted Catalonia's favourite in a 2025 poll by Cuina magazine, decided by both the public and a professional jury. 🎉 New year ➡️ As 2025 draws to a close, many are looking back at what's been an intense year. We've got an article looking back at the year, otherwise, you can put your knowledge to the test in our end-of-year quiz. See how much you've been paying attention to Catalan News this year! Read more ➡️ https://mailchi.mp/acn/christmas-canelons-and-2025-quiz Subscribe ➡️ http://eepurl.com/h6_zPP