Our Economy
Oxfordshire is a globally leading, critical mass of science, learning, talent, intellect and inspiration. There is a culture of pushing boundaries, redefining leading edge, pioneering and entrepreneurship.
The universities are powerhouses of knowledge and beacons of experimental excellence as indeed are many of the businesses located across the county.
The Oxford to Cambridge Growth Corridor which also covers Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire adds even more research, learning, business success and world leading thinking, creating a globally unique ecosystem.
The sheer diversity of world leading expertise and application across Oxfordshire is astonishing; AI, fusion, quantum, space, F1, autonomous transport, robotics, energy, life sciences, biotech, health to name just some.
Our Economy in numbers
GVA
GVA growth in nominal term year-on-year since 2006
enterprises
of businesses are micro (employing 0-9 people)
jobs county-wide, reflecting above national average jobs growth
high-tech companies make Oxfordshire their home
start-ups have attained $1 billion ‘unicorn’ valuation status: Oxford Nanopore Technologies, Immunocore and Adaptimmune.
Home to major, long-established companies - BMW, Unipart, Elsevier, Siemens
in foreign direct investment into Oxfordshire since 2017
Our visitor economy
By 2028 the Oxfordshire visitor economy will:
Generate
compared to £250m in 2019
See
of visitors enjoying an overnight stay compared to 9% in 2019
Experience growth in the priority areas of towns and local culture, active outdoors and business tourism
Our skills
of Oxfordshire’s working-age population are qualified to degree level or above, the UK average is 40%
people employed in scientific research and development
The proportion of people working in R&D is over four times the national average