Leeds

Population

Leeds has a rapidly growing population versus regional and national averages. According to Census 2021 there were 811,951 people living in Leeds, up by 8.1% or over 60,000 people in the decade since the previous census in 2011. Population growth has been higher than the national average (6.6%).

One of the youngest cities in the UK with 6 universities. The number of students coming to study in Leeds continues to grow year-on-year, with the city welcoming one of the highest student populations in the UK. In the 2021/22 academic year student numbers had risen to around 75,000.

Altogether nearly 200 languages are spoken by children and young people studying in Leeds schools, with 23% of primary and 20% of secondary school pupils with English as an additional language (EAL). After English, Urdu remains the most common language spoken.

Nearly 200 languages are spoken by children and young people studying in Leeds schools.

Briggate, Leeds

Mustard Wharf, Leeds

Heritage and Assets

Recently named as best place to live in north of England by Sunday Times (March 2024)
Leeds is home to a number of brands including Channel 4, Burberry, BT, and Sky Digital HQ
Brands started in Leeds include Marks and Spencer, Waddington Games, Asda, Rockstar Games
A broad range of cultural institutions, including British Library, Royal Armouries, Thackray Museum of Medicine, Leeds Art Gallery, Opera North, Leeds Grand Theatre, Henry Moore Institute, Leeds Playhouse and Northern Ballet
Leeds has over 4,000 hectares of green space, including seven major parks and 63 local parks with around 45 million adult visitors each year- locations include Roundhay Park, Harewood House, Temple Newsam and Lotherton Hall.
Sporting locations include Elland Road stadium, Headingley Rugby League and Cricket Grounds
Renowned as the UK’s leading centre for financial and professional services outside of London, valued at £2.1 billion with more than 30 national and international banks located in the city
Home to the UK Infrastructure Bank, The Bank of England, HMRC and Financial Conduct Authority

Named as best place to live in north of England by Sunday Times

The UK’s leading centre for financial and professional services outside of London

Home to the UK Infrastructure Bank, The Bank of England, HMRC and Financial Conduct Authority

International

Leeds has a proud history of partnerships with cities across the world. For more than 50 years, Leeds has built close relationships, learned from each other and promoted international understanding and friendship. These activities are diverse and have developed Leeds’ position as an international city.

International activity includes exchanges with Leeds’ partner cities, projects with other international partners, plus involvement in European and international networks.

For example in December 2024 Leeds will host the UK France Local Government Forum, working closely with colleagues in UK Foreign Office and French Government.

Twinned or partnered with

Partner cities include:

Lille, France
Dortmund Germany
Siegen, Germany
Hangzhou, China
Brno, Czech Republic
Durban, South Africa
Kharkiv, Ukraine.

Economy

Leeds economy is worth (GVA) £26.3 billion
Economic Powerhouse- £70bn regional economy, 126,000 businesses
Leeds continues to build on a track record of delivery, including delivery on a ten billion pound regeneration programme, with big ambitions to unlock further innovation through the Leeds Innovation Arc.

Digital

Recognised by UK Government’s High Potential Opportunities programme as a world leader in data analytics and Artificial Intelligence
The Leeds Digital Festival is now the largest ‘open’ tech event in the UK.
Home to 22% of UK digital health technology jobs and the city has the only integrated open health data system in Britain making Leeds the engine room for the NHS.

Financial and Professional Services

Renowned as the UK’s leading centre for financial and professional services outside of London, values at £2.1 billion with more than 30 national and international banks located in the city.
Home to the UK Infrastructure Bank, The Bank of England, HMRC and Financial Conduct Authority.

Healthcare and Social Sciences

Home to key decision making hubs, including NHS England and the Department for Health and Social Care.
Leeds has one of the largest Teaching Hospital Trusts in Europe
The Leeds Innovation Arc, our £1.5 billion city centre science park, is home to some of the most significant innovation assets in the north of England, including Nexus at the University of Leeds, a hub for an increasing number of innovative business including SeeAI, Itecho Health and Atlas Endoscopy

26.3bn

Leeds economy is worth (GVA) £26.3 billion

£70bn

Leeds has a regional economy valued at £70bn

126000

Leeds is considered an economic powerhouse with 126,000 businesses

2.1bn

Renowned as the UK’s leading centre for financial and professional services outside of London, the sector is valued at £2.1 billion

Current highlights

Signature projects that are underway or recently completed:

£4 bn large-scale development projects over 10 years, and delivering 1.5% of England’s homes
Second biggest region for financial services outside London with 20% growth in the last 5 years
Pedestrianisation of the City Square £46.1m investment in Leeds City Rail Station’s main entrance and surrounding area
Mass-transit system proposed, joining Leeds City Centre with the White Rose Shopping Centre and Bradford
Carbon Emissions - Leeds has made positive progress- in 2022 Leeds City Council was recognised as one of 122 city authorities across the world leading the way on climate action, receiving an “A” grade from the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP)
£750million spent on important infrastructure, including the Flood Alleviation Scheme and major transport programmes
Leeds PIPES - a £49m district heat network that is providing affordable reliable and low carbon heat to around 2000 residential public and commercial buildings. The project is continuing to expand and connect new buildings.