This factsheet shows how Northampton compares to the five most similar European cities in size and industrial structure. These are: Osnabrück (Germany), Almere (Netherlands), Amersfoort (Netherlands), ‘s-Hertogenbosch, (Netherlands), Breda (Netherlands)

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 Northampton to its European counterparts on variables such as skills, employment and productivity.

City group characteristics

Northampton is a small city with a fairly large private services and business services sector, and a relatively small manufacturing 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

Northampton shows a mixed performance in its group with a high ranking on GVA and jobs but a low one on business stock. It has the highest unemployment rate of the group.