Why the North West matters
The North West is a significant regional economy, with a GVA of £285 billion, accounting for around 9.9% of the UK's total GVA as of 2024. The North West encompasses Cheshire & Warrington, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Liverpool City Region. The region is home to 7.7 million residents, it represents 1 in 9 people in the UK and is the third most populated region in the UK as of 2024. The North West Business Leadership Team works together to shape the future of the region as the best place to live, to work and to do good business.
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Best place to work
75%
The region’s employment rate in 2025 was 75%, with average Gross Weekly Earnings of £717, compared to the UK average of £728.
40%
40% of the population in the North West holds a degree or higher qualification.
57%
About 57% of graduations remain in the region after completing their studies, with approximately 68,000 graduating from North West Universities each year.
430,000
The region has approximately 430,000 businesses, with a high concentration of SMEs. Key Sectors include: Advanced Manufacturing, Digital/Tech, Financial & Professional Services, Health & Social care.
25,000
The region is home to a nationally significant hub for the nuclear industry, including power generation, research, and decommissioning, employing over 25,000 people in the region.
10,000
According to Tech Nation, Manchester ranks as the fastest-growing tech city in Europe, with over 10,000 digital and tech businesses, demonstrating its strong startup ecosystem.
Best place to live
The North West is home to numerous cultural institutions and events, attracting millions of visitors annually. These include the Manchester International Festival, Liverpool Biennial, and the Chester Literature Festival.
83%
As of May 2026, 83% of schools in the North West were rated as “Good” or “Outstanding” by Ofsted, the national school inspection body.
3
The region includes 3 Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and access to 3 National Parks.
75%
The ONS indicates around 75% of residents in the North West report a strong sense of belonging to their local area.
£242k
The UK House Price Index shows that average house price in the North West was approximately £242,000, below the UK average of £296,000.
Best place to do good business
£2.3bn
The amount of Private Capital invested into North West Businesses in 2024.
Top 4
According to the EY UK Attractiveness Survey 2026, the North West was among the UK’s top four regions for attracting FDI projects in 2025,
£206bn
North West Industrial Cluster has a roadmap to deliver the world’s first net zero industrial region by 2040, with an opportunity for £206bn to be invested in the region overall, safeguarding and creating over 660,000 jobs.
30m+
Manchester Airport serves more than 200 direct destinations worldwide and handles close to 30 million passengers annually.
4th
The port of Liverpool is the UK’s fourth busiest container port, and one of the largest cruise terminals in the UK.