Scottish vote fuels separatism across Europe

Catalan President Artur Mas 

Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond

1. SCOTLAND

Scotland rejected independence after a record turnout by voters, but the independence movement has become a source of inspiration for separists around Europe

Population: 5.31m – 8.3%
of UK’s 64.10m (2013)

GDP: £130bn – 8.5% of
£1.54 trillion (2013)

2. CATALONIA

Regional government pressing ahead with nonbinding referendum on independence from Spain on November 9, despite staunch opposition from central government 

Pop: 7.51m – 16.1% of
Spain’s 46.65m (2013)
GDP: €192bn – 19%
of €1.02 trillion (2013)

3. BASQUE COUNTRY

Regional legislature passed declaration of self-determination last May, and in June 100,000 people formed 123km long human chain demanding referendum

Pop: 2.19m –
4.3% of 46.65m

GDP: €62.8bn –
6.1% of €1.02tr


4. FLANDERS

Separatist Flemish party N-VA emerged as Belgium’s largest party in May elections

Pop: 6.35m – 61% of
Belgium’s 11.20m (2013)
GDP: €239,220 – 65%
of €369.4bn (2013)

5. SOUTH TYROL

Three parties with a total of 10 seats in 35-strong parliament of largely German-speaking province, want to unify with Austria or create independent country

Pop: 514,998 –
0.9% of Italy’s
59.83m (2013)
GDP: €18.6bn – 1.1%
of €1.60tr (2013)

1
2
3
4
5

SPAIN
UK
ITALY
BELGIUM

Sources: World Bank, National Bank of Belgium, Statistical Institute of Catalonia, Eurostat
Pictures: Getty Images