Inside Solihull’s £12.5bn economy as growth outpaces the UK

Solihull’s economy grew almost five times faster than the national average in 2024, with new figures putting the borough’s economic output at £12.53bn.

Data published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows Solihull’s economy grew by 6.3% in real terms between 2023 and 2024, an increase of £724m after adjusting for inflation.

That compares with growth of 1.3% across England over the same period.

The figures underline Solihull’s importance to the wider West Midlands economy, accounting for 14% of the total output of the West Midlands Combined Authority area.

But what sits behind the borough’s economic strength, and what could it mean for businesses and workers?

The industries behind Solihull’s economy

Solihull has a diverse economic base, spanning advanced manufacturing, transport, business services, retail and leisure.

Jaguar Land Rover’s manufacturing plant on Lode Lane is one of the borough’s most prominent industrial employers, while Birmingham Airport, the NEC and Birmingham Business Park form part of a major cluster of transport, commercial and visitor-economy assets.

The council’s wider economic strategy places these sites at the heart of its UK Central plans, which aim to attract investment and support further development across the borough.

However, the latest headline figures measure the economy as a whole. They do not, on their own, establish how much of the £724m increase came from individual industries.

Solihull’s economic output is among the highest in the country

The ONS figures put Solihull’s gross value added (GVA) at £56,653 per person in 2024.

That was 49% higher than the England average and 92% above the West Midlands Combined Authority average, giving Solihull the highest GVA per head among upper-tier local authorities in the West Midlands.

GVA measures the value generated through the production of goods and services. It is a measure of economic activity rather than a direct measure of household income or living standards.

Solihull ranked as the 14th-largest economy in Great Britain and the fifth-largest outside London and the South East, based on the latest comparable figures.

The latest growth also continues a longer recovery following the Covid-19 pandemic. In real terms, the borough’s economy expanded every year from 2021 to 2024, growing by 31% between 2020 and 2024.

Could major investment bring further growth?

Fresh investment plans could provide another boost to the local economy in the coming years.

Birmingham Airport unveiled a £2bn draft masterplan on 8 October, setting out a vision for growth over the next 15 years. The proposals include plans to accommodate around 30 million passengers annually, alongside improvements to passenger facilities and surface access.

The airport estimates its plans could support a wider economic contribution of £3.6bn and 50,000 jobs, including 3,800 jobs at the airport itself. These are projected benefits rather than guaranteed outcomes, and the plans remain at the draft stage.

The airport is one of several major economic assets around Solihull that the council hopes will attract investment and support employment.

Deputy council leader and cabinet member for Economy, Employment and Skills, Councillor Heather Delaney, said the latest figures demonstrated the resilience of local businesses and residents.

She said: “They show the scale and productivity of our local economy and demonstrate the resilience of our businesses and residents. Solihull experienced a significant economic shock during the pandemic, yet our recovery has outpaced regional and national averages, and we continue to attract investment, create jobs and support business growth.”

What does the growth mean for residents?

The figures present a positive picture of Solihull’s overall economic output, but they do not necessarily mean every household or business has experienced the benefits equally.

GVA per head is not the same as average wages, disposable income or the amount of money residents have available to spend.

The next question is whether the borough’s economic performance translates into more local jobs, higher pay, opportunities for smaller businesses and investment that benefits communities across Solihull.

For now, the latest figures establish the scale of the borough’s economy and the pace of its recent recovery, while major investment proposals could shape its next stage of growth.

Source: Office for National Statistics regional economic output data for 2024, published in September 2026, and Solihull Council.