Greater Manchester Economy
Since the days of the industrial revolution, it has played an important role in shaping the UK’s economy. Today, the region is home to more than 2.8 million people, with an economy bigger than that of Wales or Northern Ireland. Manchester’s business strengths have enabled it to develop a strong reputation as a competitive place to do business.
The ten metropolitan boroughs of Greater Manchester – Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, and Wigan – represent the largest city region economy outside London, with a gross value added (GVA) of £78.7 billion. In the decade to 2020, the economy grew by 39% from £53.89 billion to £78.7 billion and it has been one of the major UK city-regions driving job growth (84% between 2002-2015), at twice the rate of jobs growth of the north as a whole.
The ten councils– the first statutory “Combined Authority” in the UK outside London – and our Mayor coordinate key issues such as economic development, regeneration and transport. This governance structure has enabled the region to secure greater powers from central government to shape its own future and success.
Key Sectors
Manchester's breadth and depth of expertise enables cross-industry opportunities for collaboration and a world-class offer for the international investor.
Advanced Manufacturing
Manchester is at the heart of the UK’s largest manufacturing and advanced engineering…
Creative And Media
Manchester is recognised as one of Europe’s largest creative, digital and technology…
Digital and Technology
As well as being home to a fast-growing £5 billion digital ecosystem, Manchester is…
Financial, Professional And Business Services
Manchester is home to the largest regional financial, professional and business…
Net zero
Manchester offers access to world-leading research facilities, state-of-the-art…
Life Science and Healthcare
Home to world-leading research and development assets as well as the largest clinical…
First direct flights from Manchester to Shanghai set to deliver boost to North
- 9 minutes
The launch of a new route from Manchester to Shanghai with Juneyao Air has been backed to deliver a…
£1bn climate tech hub Sustainable Ventures to deliver government-supported hydrogen programme in Man
- 2 minutes
Europe’s largest climate tech hub, Sustainable Ventures, has partnered with independent…
Report shows Manchester Airport has potential add £16.3bn per year to UK economy by 2050
- 2 minutes
Regional political and business leaders have backed a report showing how further investment and…
Studio Egret West picked to draft 4,500-home Holt Town vision
- 2 minutes
Manchester City Council has appointed the design studio to draw up a 10-year regeneration and…
Caroline Simpson to become GMCA CEO
- 2 minutes
Stockport Council’s chief executive will replace Eamonn Boylan this summer following an…