London has a large and well-educated workforceĪs the UK’s capital and the biggest city in Europe, London continues to attract talented and educated people seeking employment or the opportunity to study or start businesses. The university sector is now such an important part of London’s economy that the government would be reluctant to impose any restrictions on foreign students to maintain the sector’s economic viability. In fact, students from the EU has been a low-growth area for a number of years, with Asia the biggest growth area. Among this list are a number of world-class institutions, such as Imperial College, University College London, the London School of Economics and Kings College.Īlthough Brexit may make it more difficult for EU students to study in London, increasing numbers of students from Asia (China, in particular) will more than make up for any potential decline in the number of EU students. London has one of the highest concentrations of universities and higher education institutions in the world and a student population of more than 400,000. London is home to a number of world-class universities

London is also home to a wide range of museums and art galleries, including the Victoria and Albert (V&A) and the Tate Modern. The city also benefits from a world-renowned theatre district, a diverse range of shops and shopping districts, world-class restaurants and a number of world famous sporting venues. The city’s historic and cultural attractions, which include Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey and the Tower of London, mean that London is a major tourist destination.Īccording to the most recent annual Global Destination Cities Index, London was the third most visited city in the world, with 19.1 million visitors in 2018. Throughout history, London has continually reinvented itselfįounded by the Romans, more than 2,000 years ago, London has a long and impressive history. The vast number of people living in London, and the fact that increasing numbers of people are living in the centre of the city, also means that services such as car sharing are able to operate effectively. The bigger London gets, the more efficient it becomes and the more people it attracts. Alpha ++ cities are those that are most integrated with the global economy (the other Alpha++ city is New York). It is one of only two cities in the world to be ranked Alpha++ by the think tank Globalization and World Cities Research Network. With a population of almost nine million, London is the biggest city in Europe and one of the largest in the world. London is the biggest city in Europe and one of only two Alpha++ cities in the world In addition, it is London’s cultural appeal which includes museums, theatres, art galleries as well as vast amounts of open spaces and parks, which attracts so many people to the city.

London has a highly developed transport infrastructure which includes Europe’s busiest airport (London Heathrow). The index aims to rank the most attractive cities to invest in over the next 10 years.

In the most recent Schroders Global Cities Index, London was ranked second, finishing behind Los Angeles. Leaving the EU is unlikely to affect its status as an influential global city. London’s geographical location between Asia and North America means it is perfectly positioned as one of the command centres for the global economy, along with New York and Tokyo. London is perfectly positioned to trade as a world city Likewise, insurance also remains an important and long-standing industry for London. The city’s legal sector also continues to expand, with many foreign companies and individuals choosing to settle legal disputes in the UK capital. The tech sector is also more flexible and vibrant, and less restricted by regulations and red tape than the finance industry. The fact that both Google and Apple chose London as their European headquarters demonstrates the broad level of long-term confidence that businesses have in the city. Media and technology is now a much faster-growing sector for London, with a multitude of start-ups based in the city. If Brexit does result in a widespread exodus of financial firms from London (which we view as unlikely), the tech industry has the potential to become just as important, if not more so, in the future. There is more to London than financial services However, with a diverse economy, highly skilled workforce, wide tourist demand, world-class universities and cultural appeal, London will not only survive Brexit, but will continue to thrive. In the three-and-a-half years since the UK voted to leave the European Union (EU) much has been written about how London’s status as a global leader in financial services could be weakened.

Most populous cities in europe