This factsheet compares Telford to the five most similar European cities in size and industrial structure. These are: Hagen (Germany) Miskolc (Hungary) Leverkusen (Germany) Krefeld (Germany) Szeged (Hungary)

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

City group characteristics

Telford is a small city and its group is characterised by a slightly larger private services sector but a balance of manufacturing, business services and public services.

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

Telford tends to rank in the middle of its group on many indicators. It does however have a fairly low skilled population compared to the rest of the group.