Reading has decade-long UK leading productivity

11th February 2026

The latest Cities Outlook, the annual health check of the economic performance of urban Britain produced by think tank Centre for Cities, continues to demonstrate the excellent credentials of the Reading economy as a place to locate a business.

The Centre for Cities ranking of the UK’s 63 largest cities and towns by total productivity growth over the last decade rates Reading as the top performer, with nearly 60% growth (total GVA growth 2013-2023) compared to the national average of 18%. In addition, criteria measured over the last 12 months also show Reading as a driver of the knowledge economy and a leader in job growth and skills, with the second highest disposable income per capita.

Reading ranks 2^nd for private sector knowledge economy jobs with 51,000 jobs in this crucial innovation indicator while it ranks 5^th for new economy firms, 4^th for job growth and 4^th for the best qualified workforce. All these factors ensure that Reading has continued to be ranked among the top 10 most productive cities in the UK in the last year.

While there is a strong correlation between cities with fewer low-skilled residents (Reading is in the top 3 for this indicator) and higher living standards, rising costs locally, particularly the cost of housing, means that local residents aren’t necessarily feeling the benefits in their pockets. Reading has the 2^nd highest disposable income per capita but, like other high-skilled economies such as Cambridge, Exeter, Edinburgh and Swindon, ranks lowdown in the Cities Outlook ranking for total disposable income growth over the last decade.

Nigel Horton-Baker, Chief Executive of REDA, said: “The underlying indicators of Reading’s economic performance are positive, meaning that we have a rock-solid economy that will continue to attract new businesses and the talented workforce to grow those companies. Reading outperforms every other city in the UK on productivity growth over the last decade and is a beacon for innovation. Our success, however, has generated rising housing costs, which in conjunction with the general expense of living in the South-East of England, means our residents don’t always feel the benefit of economic success in their pockets.”  

Reading also ranked:-

• 4^th in the housing stock growth indicator in the report, citing an extra 1820 units having been delivered in the last year.
• 3^rd for wages - £917 per average weekly workplace earnings (ONS 2025)
• 4^th for 10-year job growth rate – 23.8% (2013-23)
• 60^th out of 62 for lack of deprivation
• 14^th for the lowest greenhouse gas emissions