Cardiff VS Belfast

Cardiff and Belfast are similarly sized business centres with 30,508 and 22,934 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 Activities of other holding companies n.e.c. and Buying and selling of own real estate.

Key Figures

Cardiff
Active30,508
Total67,837
2020s Growth61.5%
Oldest Co.1881
Belfast
Active22,934
Total27,316
2020s Growth53.6%
Oldest Co.1869

Head-to-Head

Active Companies
30,508
22,934
Total Registered
67,837
27,316
Dissolved Companies
129
117
2020s Growth Rate
615%
536%
CardiffBelfast

Company Formation by Decade

Cardiff
Pre-1990
977
1990s
849
2000s
3,331
2010s
20,909
2020s
41,771
Belfast
Pre-1990
871
1990s
864
2000s
2,580
2010s
8,397
2020s
14,604

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city has more registered companies, Cardiff or Belfast?

Cardiff has 30,508 active companies compared to 22,934 in Belfast — 7,574 more.

Which is growing faster, Cardiff or Belfast?

Cardiff has a higher 2020s company formation rate (61.5%) compared to Belfast (53.6%).

What industries do Cardiff and Belfast have in common?

Both cities share these top industries: Activities of other holding companies n.e.c., Buying and selling of own real estate, Management consultancy activities other than financial management, Other, Other business support service activities n.e.c.. Cardiff is uniquely strong in Business and domestic software development and Information technology consultancy activities, while Belfast stands out in Development of building projects and Dormant Company.