Birmingham and Edinburgh are similarly sized business centres with 85,374 and 56,848 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 Buying and selling of own real estate and Management consultancy activities other than financial management.
Birmingham has 85,374 active companies compared to 56,848 in Edinburgh — 28,526 more.
Birmingham has a higher 2020s company formation rate (63.7%) compared to Edinburgh (38.8%).
Both cities share these top industries: Buying and selling of own real estate, Management consultancy activities other than financial management, Other business support service activities n.e.c., Other letting and operating of own or leased real estate, Other service activities n.e.c.. Birmingham is uniquely strong in Activities of other holding companies n.e.c. and Freight transport by road, while Edinburgh stands out in Business and domestic software development and Dormant Company.