Midlands Innovation Relay Centre

Regional Profile

The West Midlands region is situated in the heart of England and covers an area of 12,998 sq. km from Stoke-on-Trent in the north to Hereford and Evesham in the south, from Shrewsbury in the West to Rugby and Burton-on-Trent in the East. There are several large cities and towns in the region, including Birmingham, Wolverhampton and Coventry.


The West Midlands region accounts for a population of 5.27 million (9% of the UK total). More than half of the region’s population live in large conurbation areas, while over 2 million reside in the region’s rural counties, which cover three-quarters of the region’s area.

The West Midlands is home to five Areas of Outstanding Beauty and part of the Peak District National Park. It offers diverse cultural experiences that include the Ironbridge World Heritage Site in Shropshire and the unique assets of Shakespeare Country in Warwickshire, as well as 32,000 listed buildings and many historic houses, parks and major sporting facilities.

The West Midlands is at the centre of the country’s road and rail network, with motorways linking the North with the South East and South West meeting in the Birmingham and Coventry area. The main west coast line between London and the North West of England and Scotland passes through Birmingham and Coventry. The region also has a light rail system, Midland Metro, which serves part of Birmingham and the Black Country. Birmingham International Airport, the UK’s fifth largest is situated 4.5 miles to the south East of Birmingham.

Despite a recent decline, manufacturing remains an important element in the economy, accounting for 20.4% of all regional employment. The service sector has expanded; increasing by over 250,000 jobs and now represents nearly 70% of the region’s employment. The West Midlands is a major exporting region, accounting for approximately 8% of the national total by value. It has also proved successful in attracting foreign direct investment – attracting nearly 2000 overseas companies to set up facilities here, with the main centres being Birmingham, Coventry and Telford.


Key Facts

• The mid-2003 population estimate for the region was 5,319,900 with 2,612,000 males (49.1%) and 2,707,900 females (50.9%)
• Within the age structure of the population, 19.5% are aged 0-14 years, 64.5% aged 15-64 and 16.0% aged over 65
• Approximately 11.3% of the region’s total population belong to ethnic minorities. Of these 7.7% are of Asian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi origin.
• The region has 38 Local Authorities, of which there are 4 Counties, 7 Metropolitan District Authorities, 3 Unitaries and 24 non-Metropolitan districts. There are 6 Local Learning and Skills Councils (LLSCs).
• The region has 59 MPs (39 Lab, 16 Con, 3 Lib Dem, 1 independent). A full list of MPs and MEPs can be found by clicking on the document link at the bottom of this page.
• Average life expectancy at birth for the 2001-2003 period is 75.6 years for males (England 76.2) and 80.4 years for females (England 80.7)
• The region has 8 Universities, 4 other higher education establishments and over 50 Further Education establishments

There are 38 local authorities in the West Midlands region; 7 Metropolitan, 4 County, 3 Unitary and 24 District Councils.

For more information:

- Wikipedia: West Midlands

Regional Profile


The East Midlands is the fourth biggest region in area but the second smallest in population (4.2 million). Though the majority of the population live in and around the region’s major cities and towns, 29.5 per cent live in rural areas compared to 19.4 per cent in England.

The shared vision for the East Midlands is for it to become a “top 20 region in Europe” by 2010. In 2003, measured against an index of economic and environmental measures supporting this vision, the region was estimated to be in 35th position and by 2005 it had reached 28th position, well on course to achieve the 2010 ambition. This has been achieved despite the region having a much higher dependence on manufacturing than other regions.

Whilst the region has been improving, there are still significant areas where more needs to be achieved. This includes raising productivity, improving skills and educational levels, particularly in the region’s three main cities - Derby, Leicester and Nottingham.

The East Midlands is a large and diverse region, containing the historic counties of Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire, Rutland, Northamptonshire, Derbyshire, and Leicestershire and the cities of Nottingham, Lincoln, Derby, Leicester and the county town of Northampton. With a population of just under 4.2 million, the region is more than 90 per cent rural.

The region has a varied and resilient industrial base with a strong tradition in manufacturing as well as growing strengths in the service sector. It also boasts excellent centres of learning and research in its eight universities.

The East Midland's varied environment contributes much to its identity, and to the quality of life of its population. It boasts some significant environmental assets, such as the Peak District National Park and the Lincolnshire Wolds are of outstanding national beauty. The Peak District, especially, provides significant resource for leisure and tourism.

The region contains thriving multicultural cities as well as lush rural landscapes and a varied coastline. Major assets include national sports venues such as Trent Bridge cricket ground, the National Ice Centre and the National Watersports Centre as well as two premiership rugby clubs, five race courses and six motor racing circuits.

Areas of cultural and heritage interest include the historic city of Lincoln with its medieval cathedral and castle, and distinctive Georgian and Tudor architecture, the Peak District National Park, Rutland Water, 10 national nature reserves, four producing theatres, and more than 50 museums as well as national attractions such as the National Space Centre in Leicester. Nottingham East Midlands Airport is a key regional asset. The region also boasts the Derwent Valley world heritage site.

For more information:

- Wikipedia: East Midlands
- East Midlands Development Agency Homepage