London VS Glasgow

London dwarfs Glasgow in scale with 1,028,174 active companies versus 67,478 — a 15.2x difference. Despite the size gap, both cities play distinct roles in the UK economy. Glasgow may be smaller, but its industry mix and growth patterns offer unique advantages. Both cities share strength in Activities of other holding companies n.e.c. and Buying and selling of own real estate.

Key Figures

London
Active1,028,174
Total1,247,586
2020s Growth61.6%
Oldest Co.1856
Glasgow
Active67,478
Total83,891
2020s Growth56.9%
Oldest Co.1871

Head-to-Head

Active Companies
1,028,174
67,478
Total Registered
1,247,586
83,891
Dissolved Companies
96,270
6,119
2020s Growth Rate
616%
569%
LondonGlasgow

Company Formation by Decade

London
Pre-1990
24,224
1990s
27,170
2000s
80,679
2010s
320,863
2020s
775,295
Glasgow
Pre-1990
1,675
1990s
1,838
2000s
6,029
2010s
26,170
2020s
46,935

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city has more registered companies, London or Glasgow?

London has 1,028,174 active companies compared to 67,478 in Glasgow — 960,696 more.

Which is growing faster, London or Glasgow?

London has a higher 2020s company formation rate (61.6%) compared to Glasgow (56.9%).

What industries do London and Glasgow have in common?

Both cities share these top industries: Activities of other holding companies n.e.c., Buying and selling of own real estate, Management consultancy activities other than financial management, Other, Other business support service activities n.e.c.. London is uniquely strong in Business and domestic software development and Information technology consultancy activities, while Glasgow stands out in Hairdressing and other beauty treatment and Take-away food shops and mobile food stands.