Major developments in Brum

Birmingham may be one of the 20 largest European cities with an output of £38.9bn, and the UK’s second city, but it shows no sign of slowing down.

Its youthful population, with an average age of 34, has now reached nearly 1.17m residents of this great city. Meanwhile, its economy has grown by £1bn (2.7%) from 2022 to 2023, and it’s the largest part (42%) of the wider West Midlands Combined Authority’s (WMCA) economy, making it the financial, commercial and cultural hub of the region.

In terms of transport, Birmingham is at the heart of the UK’s networks, with HS2 being built to further improve its connectivity. It’s also among the UK’s top places for business start-ups, with a growing innovation eco-system, and five higher educational institutions containing a talent pool of 80,000 students.

Underpinning its growth is a cultural centre which hosts premier league football and major sports events, has the UK’s busiest single-stage theatre (the Birmingham Hippodrome), and has more than 600 parks and green spaces. Did we mention that it also has Europe’s largest canal network? More than Venice.

Birmingham’s also home to vibrant business community and support through the Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce network, along with a commitment among the city’s partners to ensure that the economic growth opportunities drive an inclusive approach. That means citizens and businesses in Birmingham benefit from the growth ahead.

Take a look at the West Midlands Site Selection tool to see the breadth of economic sites and opportunities across the WMCA area.

Page last updated: 16 October 2025