Glasgow and Edinburgh are similarly sized business centres with 67,891 and 56,473 active companies respectively. This close match makes their industry mix, growth trajectory, and formation history all the more interesting to compare. Both cities share strength in Buying and selling of own real estate and Information technology consultancy activities.
Glasgow has 67,891 active companies compared to 56,473 in Edinburgh — 11,418 more.
Glasgow has a higher 2020s company formation rate (63.1%) compared to Edinburgh (41.4%).
Both cities share these top industries: Buying and selling of own real estate, Information technology consultancy activities, Management consultancy activities other than financial management, Other business support service activities n.e.c., Other letting and operating of own or leased real estate. Glasgow is uniquely strong in Activities of other holding companies n.e.c. and Hairdressing and other beauty treatment, while Edinburgh stands out in Business and domestic software development and Development of building projects.