Belfast has performed strongly in the Demos-PwC Good Growth for Cities Index (‘the Index’), maintaining 14th position with notable strengths in jobs, work-life balance and income distribution.
The Index ranks 50 of the UK’s largest cities, excluding London, based on both the public’s assessment and the actual performance of 12 economic measures. These measures include jobs, health, income, safety and skills, as well as work-life balance, housing, transport, income equality, high street and shops, environment and business startups.
Belfast is forecast to see steady economic growth, exceeding the UK's average growth expectations which currently sit around 1.2%. The city's economic activity is heavily concentrated in key sectors such as real estate, human health and social work, and wholesale retail industries.
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Despite maintaining its 2024 position in the Index, Belfast has seen improvements in job opportunities, owner occupation rates and youth education attainment, reflecting positive development driven by initiatives like the Belfast Region City Deal.
Caitriona McCusker, Northern Ireland Market Partner at PwC UK comments on the latest results:
“Belfast's position in the Index demonstrates our strength and resilience as a city. We are hopeful of the projected economic growth for Northern Ireland, expected to exceed the UK average. Our city has made significant strides in job opportunities, owner occupation rates and youth education attainment, reflecting the impact of forward-thinking initiatives like the Belfast Region City Deal.
“There remain opportunities for growth, especially in addressing income distribution to ensure economic prosperity is shared by all. By continuing to focus on the public’s priorities, such as enhancing skills and fostering new businesses, we can further amplify Belfast's success and create a brighter future for our community."
The wider UK picture
York is the highest performing city in the Index, with Edinburgh rising to second place and Bristol in third place. These cities scored highly across high streets, skills, and jobs which are key indicators of prosperity that the public increasingly values. York ranked among the top three cities for both high street and jobs.
Cities across the South West region continue to perform well with Bristol (3rd), Exeter (4th) and Swindon (5th) all in the top five highest performing cities. All three cities score significantly above the UK average on jobs and high streets, and Swindon and Exeter both performed well in skills.
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Scottish cities have performed well this year this year. Edinburgh secured the second overall position, while Aberdeen was this year’s most improved city, jumping 25 spots to 12th place. Glasgow also showed considerable progress, climbing 13 places to rank 18th, making it the third most improved city. Aberdeen has climbed up the rankings due to significant improvements in jobs and income distribution and Glasgow with stronger performances in skills, safety, and work-life balance.
Public refocusing on the basics of daily life
PwC research indicates a convergence in the public's priorities this year, with financial considerations becoming less dominant in favour of tangible, local, and essential concerns such as high streets and shops, skills, housing, and transport. Although income and income distribution remain key priorities and are still the public’s most cited factors for economic success, they have seen the most significant year-on-year decline. However, three of the biggest fallers in this year’s Index, Cambridge, Leicester and Liverpool, have seen large declines in their performance in the jobs metric.
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