This factsheet shows how Birkenhead compares to the five most similar European cities in terms of size and industrial structure. These are: Århus (Denmark), Liège (Belgium), Nancy (France), Strasbourg (France), Tours (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 Birkenhead to its European counterparts on variables such as skills, employment and productivity.
City group characteristics
Birkenhead sits in a group of medium sized cities which have a relatively large public sector and particularly small 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
Compared to its group, Birkenhead performs poorly on a number of factors including productivity (GVA per worker), business stock and jobs. However, it is second for patent applications, and ranks at number 62 of 324 cities. It also has a strong employment rate.