Manchester has cemented its position as the UK’s strongest-performing major city-region economy, outperforming the broader national economy and 26 other major city-regions.
Over the past 18 years, Greater Manchester has delivered the highest rate of Gross Value Added (GVA) growth, combining strong productivity gains with significant employment growth.
The city’s success has been driven largely by its transformation into a leading hub for higher-value service sectors, such as professional services, technology and media. Since 2008, Manchester has created more jobs in knowledge-intensive business services than any city-region outside London.
Employment growth in central Manchester has also ranked among the top five in Europe since 2008, reflecting the city’s growing ability to attract businesses, talent and investment.
Several factors have underpinned Manchester’s success. A rapidly growing working-age population has provided businesses with access to a deep talent pool, whilst investment in transport infrastructure expansion has improved connectivity. Housing-led regeneration has transformed Manchester city centre, creating vibrant new neighbourhoods across areas such as New Jackson, Greengate and St John’s, whilst enabling more people to live closer to employment opportunities.
Strong local governance, a clear long-term vision, and the introduction of the Mayor of Greater Manchester role in 2017 have also been contributing factors, increasing the appeal of the city as a stable investment destination.
Manchester’s performance over the past 18 years demonstrates the strength of its long-term growth model. As the city continues to evolve, the combination of a growing talent base, ongoing infrastructure investment and continued housing-led regeneration is expected to further strengthen its position as one of the UK’s most dynamic and competitive city-regions.
Source: Oxford Economics, June 2026
