Belfast and York are similarly sized business centres with 21,880 and 16,538 active companies respectively. This close match makes their industry mix, growth trajectory, and formation history all the more interesting to compare. Both cities share strength in Activities of other holding companies n.e.c. and Business and domestic software development.
Belfast has 21,880 active companies compared to 16,538 in York — 5,342 more.
Belfast has a higher 2020s company formation rate (51.7%) compared to York (46.4%).
Both cities share these top industries: Activities of other holding companies n.e.c., Business and domestic software development, Buying and selling of own real estate, Development of building projects, Dormant Company. Belfast is uniquely strong in Other and Retail sale via mail order houses or via Internet, while York stands out in Information technology consultancy activities and Other business support service activities n.e.c..