According to a recent Centre for Cities report, Manchester continues to be a national success story, standing out as one of the UK’s fastest-growing and most productive major cities.
The city is experiencing incredible economic momentum, driven by a booming business sector. Over the past decade, local job numbers have surged by 19.7%, easily outpacing the national average of 13.9%.
What are ‘knowledge-intensive business services’?
A major factor in this growth is Manchester’s thriving knowledge economy; the city now boasts 244,000 knowledge-based jobs, which is the second-highest number in the UK after London. Examples of KIBS companies include law firms, accountancy practices, management consultancies, investment banks, architectural practices, advertising and public relations agencies.
The wider business community is flourishing as well, seeing a 30% increase in operating businesses since 2015. Thanks to this growth and the city’s 2023 “Investing in Success” strategy, the local employment rate has successfully climbed past 75%.
Manchester will build 36,000 homes by 2032
To support this rapid expansion and tackle national housing shortages, Manchester has set an ambitious goal to build 36,000 homes by 2032, with at least 10,000 designated as affordable. The city is already making strong progress on this front, having just recorded its best year yet for affordable housing. By delivering nearly 1,000 affordable homes over the last 12 months, Manchester has managed to reduce its housing waitlist for the first time since the pandemic.
Public transport upgrades
Manchester is also pairing its housing and economic strategies with vital public transport upgrades. Investments in infrastructure—such as the planned Sandhills Metrolink stop—are being used to directly connect residents to new jobs, ensuring that the city’s continued growth benefits everyone while reducing local inequality.
Cllr Gavin White, Manchester City Council’s Executive Member for Housing and Regeneration, said: “This report underlines the importance of Manchester’s economic growth to the success of the city region and the wider north of England — and shows the crucial role big cities play in helping the UK thrive.
“Manchester has seen significant population growth in recent years, driven by our global reputation and the expansion of key sectors that have created tens of thousands of high‑quality jobs. This success brings high demand, which is why we’re delivering a strong supply of quality office space and record numbers of social, Council and genuinely affordable homes across the city.
“But we also know that too many households still face high levels of deprivation. It’s vital that we continue turning economic growth into better living standards. Our vision is to create clear pathways into great jobs, alongside investment in communities and transport links, ensuring everyone in Manchester can share in the city’s success.”
You can read the complete Big Cities Outlook report here.
