MANCHESTER

A powerhouse of economic progress

As the world’s first industrial city, Manchester has come full circle to once again be a powerhouse of economic progress – and is the UK’s fastest growing regional economy. Voted the best overall choice for business in the UK outside London, the city is now attracting more and more national and international companies, all drawn by its competitiveness, transport links, and highly motivated and skilled workforce. And in 2019 Manchester was voted the Best UK City to Live by The Economist Global Liveability Index.

FACTS AND FIGURES

£62.8 billion

Manchester is the fastest-growing major city outside London, with a GVA of £62.8 billion, almost half the total of the North West.
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7.2 million

Manchester city region offers a high-quality workforce of 7.2 million people within an hour’s commute of the city centre.
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£1 billion

Transformational change is occurring, with committed investment of over £1 billion in and around the Greengate area.
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100,000

100,000 students Greater Manchester’s four universities – the highest numbers in Europe – with a 71% graduate retention rate.
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34%

With an expanding city centre population, Manchester is 34% more affordable to live in than London.
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£4.5 BILLION

With 4.8 million staying visits and 59 million day visits, tourism is worth £4.5billion to Manchester’s economy.
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£900 million

Manchester is rated England’s top shopping destination outside London with a huge £900m retail spend in the city centre every year.
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