This factsheet compares Coventry with the five most similar European cities by size and industrial structure. These are: Orléans (France), Strasbourg (France), Tours (France), Clermont-Ferrand (France), Rouen (France)

Comparing cities in this way helps us to understand more about how well UK cities are competing on an international scale because it groups cities with similar industrial structures, rather than on their resulting economic performance. The factsheet also compares the relative strengths and weaknesses of Coventry to its European counterparts on variables such as skills, employment and productivity.

City group characteristics

The cities in this group are medium sized and have a fairly balanced public sector and private services sector, with a slightly smaller business services sector.

Population

Industrial structure

Key

• Manufacturing, mining and utilities 2011
• Business services 2011
• Public services 2011
• Other private services 2011
• Other sectors 2011

Overall economic performance

Coventry performs particularly well in its group for patents (innovation) and employment. However it is less productive, and has a higher share of low-skilled people than its European counterparts.