The Most Empowering Cities for Women in the UK
Female empowerment is an ever-growing topic, with gender equality, equal pay and education for women being just some of the powerful movement’s women are championing across the UK and world. Here at The Body Shop, we believe that both self-love and female empowerment are incredibly important, and are proud to be a feminist brand where fighting for equality is within our DNA.
Which cities are the most empowering to women in the UK? Looking at 40 cities in the UK against a series of metrics, including the female population, the number of women in higher education, the number of universities with women enrolled, the average salary for women, as well as the number of women’s social groups, you can find out below which cities come top.
The UK’s Empowering Cities Index
1. Cambridge
Taking the top spot as the best city for empowering women across the UK is Cambridge. With a female population of 59,742, of which 27,100 women are in higher education, so Cambridge really sets the bar high in terms of education-- with the notorious University of Cambridge, one of the most prestigious in the whole of the UK, right at the centre of the city. There are a further eight universities across the city that have female students enrolled in. The average salary for women is currently £34,500 - the eighth highest out of all 40 cites analysed. What’s more, Cambridge is also home to the most women’s social groups of all cities analysed in total, which is equivalent to 10 groups per 10,000 women, including wellness and support groups as well as sport and adventure groups.
2. London
The UK’s capital comes in second place, with a female population of 4,120,370! The number of women in higher education in London currently sits at 311,660, and there are 179 universities in the city with female students enrolled. It is no surprise that London offers the highest average salary for women in the UK of £45,500 per year. The social side is also a real positive in London, with a total of 500 women’s social groups, equivalent of one group per 10,000 women.
3. Oxford
Coming in third place is Oxford, another well renowned city for education, home to the Russell Group University of Oxford. There are 22,915 women in higher education, out of the 73,596 total female population in the city and a further five universities with female occupancy. Oxford has a total of 45 women’s social groups, equating to six per 10,000 women. This city is also setting a high standard when it comes to salary in Oxford, which for women is currently sitting at £35,300.
4. Brighton
Brighton is the fourth best city for empowering women with a female population of 144,592. The seaside city has four universities with female occupancy, and 22,305 women in higher education. There are 95 social groups in total across the city, equal to seven per 10,000 women. On the salary front the average salary for women is £31,900.
5. Bristol
Coming in fifth place is Bristol, where the female population is 269,939. Bristol has the second highest number of women’s social groups - 123 in total, equivalent to five per 10,000 women. 32,030 women in higher education across the eight universities with female occupancy. The average annual salary for women is currently £35,500.
The Best UK Cities for Women’s Salaries and Education
The Most Sociable Cities for Women Across the UK
So which UK cities are the most sociable for women? We’ve looked at the total number of women’s social groups as well as how this compares to the female population, in order to work out the number of social groups per 10,000 women. Find out which cities come top in the map below.
Methodology and sources
This analysis consisted of researching a series of metrics in order to find the best UK cities for empowering women. A list of the top 40 cities with the highest female population was collected. Population figures were for all women aged between 0-90+ years old. Metrics included number of women in higher education at both undergrad and postgrad levels, number of universities with female occupancy per 50,000 women, average women's yearly salary and the number of women's social groups. Data collected and analysed between November 2021 – February 2022.
https://www.aznations.com/population/gb/cities/