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Each one of the capital's main regions is individually larger than many major cities elsewhere in Europe . And the London economy contributes around 17 percent of the UK's total GDP and is comparable in size to that of Belgium, Sweden and even Russia.

Which is good news for the 1.8 million people who live in the North West London district and enjoy living in one of the wealthiest and also the most commercially developed areas of the capital.

Then and now
Throughout the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, much of the North West district's local economy was dominated by the manufacturing and light industries that were buoyed by London 's increasing role on the world stage. By 1900, the British Empire covered a quarter of the world's population and London 's manufacturing producers were importing and exporting goods across the globe. But the beginning of the end was not long in coming.

The First World War wounded Britain and with it, her diminishing political influence. And by the end of the Second World War, London had lost out to many of its overseas non-combatant competitors. Consequently, demand for British goods started to fall and the manufacturing sector that sustained the local economy for the best part of 200 years was slipping into irreversible decline. And today, North West London has become a post-industrial services-led local economy.

The employment scenario in North West London is in line with the rest of the UK economy and largely reflective of the businesses present in the area, with the services sector dominating employment. Indeed, some 82 per cent of the district's workforce is employed in the services industries in some capacity. And c ommon to most districts in the capital – with the notable exception of The City and East London - the public sector has emerged as the single most important employer in North West London in recent years.

Covering a population of 1.8 million residents, the fields of public administration, health and education have a significant demand for workers at all levels and overall, the public sector employs some 27 per cent of the districts entire workforce with the likes of the North West London Hospitals NHS Trust and the Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trust being two of the biggest employers with 10,000 staff between them.

And anywhere that has a population of this size will sustain a buoyant hospitality sector. Add one of the biggest zoo's in Europe and the most offbeat yet incredibly popular shoppers haven to the mix and you have the formula for a strong hospitality – including retail and tourism – sector that employs almost 1 in 4 (24 per cent) of North West London's workforce. Indeed, London Zoo attracts around 900,000 visitors whilst the ever-popular Camden Town welcomes 100,000 shoppers to its markets and stores every weekend.

In a city that plays host to more foreign banks than any other city in the world, it is inevitable that the finance sector is a major employer in the capital. And although The City holds the lion's share of job opportunities, North West London has its share of the spoils too. Indeed, more than 1 in 5 (21 per cent) of all workers in the NW post code district make their living in banking, financial or insurances services.

And despite the national decline of the manufacturing industries and the spectacular transition of the UK 's regions into service-led economies, the manufacturing sector in North West London is akin to that of its West London neighbour and continues to be a significant employer in the district, albeit at a lower level. Indeed, as many as 11 per cent of the workforce continue to make their living in the manufacturing sector with the district yet to succumb to the mass job losses that have occurred elsewhere in the country in this sector

Given that the proportion of commuters using public transport in the capital is higher here than outside Greater London, it follows that the transport and communications sector is a key employer when you consider the number of people required to run the Underground network and bus system. Elsewhere, the construction industry has seen resurgence over the last decade.

With London's population anticipated to grow by a further 800,000 people by 2016, demand for new housing and the redevelopment of run-down areas of the district combined with a handful of projects earmarked for the 2012 Olympic Games, have necessitated the need for more engineers, builders and skilled trades-people. 

Key business districts
North West London's prime commercial centres can be found in Hampstead, Camden , Kentish Town , Kilburn, and to a lesser extent Swiss Cottage . And over the next 10 years, a substantial new commercial district, a new high street and town centre are being developed in the Brent Cross and Cricklewood area.

If you're thinking of moving to the area, take a look at some of the current property available to buy or let in North West London.

Take a closer look
A picture is worth a thousand words. You can see some images from in and around North West London below.

Looking for local vacancies? See all current jobs in North West London or find out more information on the local area.