Cardiff VS Belfast

Cardiff and Belfast are similarly sized business centres with 28,946 and 22,122 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.

Key Figures

Cardiff
Active28,946
Total85,626
2020s Growth59.7%
Oldest Co.1881
Belfast
Active22,122
Total29,181
2020s Growth52.1%
Oldest Co.1869

Head-to-Head

Active Companies
28,946
22,122
Total Registered
85,626
29,181
Dissolved Companies
29,552
3,857
2020s Growth Rate
597%
521%
CardiffBelfast

Company Formation by Decade

Cardiff
Pre-1990
1,010
1990s
881
2000s
3,472
2010s
22,925
2020s
56,671
Belfast
Pre-1990
884
1990s
871
2000s
2,613
2010s
8,451
2020s
16,003

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city has more registered companies, Cardiff or Belfast?

Cardiff has 28,946 active companies compared to 22,122 in Belfast — 6,824 more.

Which is growing faster, Cardiff or Belfast?

Cardiff has a higher 2020s company formation rate (59.7%) compared to Belfast (52.1%).

What industries do Cardiff and Belfast have in common?

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, Management consultancy activities other than financial management, Other. Cardiff is uniquely strong in Information technology consultancy activities and Other business support service activities n.e.c., while Belfast stands out in Development of building projects and Dormant Company.