Montpellier: Ranked as #1 most attractive and resilient large metropolis in France

Montpellier stands out as the most attractive and resilient metropolis in France according to the 2022 Barometer on the attractiveness and resilience of French metropolises and territorial transition published by Arthur Loyd! Demographic growth and outstanding access – via its high-speed TGV rail line – are the cornerstones of this success, which is reflected in a strong increase in private sector employment: + 11,392 jobs created in 2021.
 
A sign of Montpellier’s positive influence in the area, the Hérault department saw a +5.9% increase in net job creation in the first quarter of 2022 (compared to pre-Covid Q4 2019), that is, 16,878 new jobs.
 
Montpellier is enjoying very good economic momentum, both in terms of the strong growth in private sector jobs and overall payroll, and its increasing specialization in higher metropolitan activities. To take full advantage of the current situation, Montpellier was able to leverage a positive business climate at a regional level. One slightly less positive point was the unemployment rate. While unemployment declined somewhat, it was still at the relatively high level of 9.7% at the end of 2021.
 
Exceptional momentum in the office space market in Montpellier demonstrates the territory’s economic vitality. There was a record number of transactions in 2021, which notably helped Montpellier gain equal footing alongside other large metropolises, such as Toulouse, which is now in the category of very large metropolises. 
 
Montpellier was also able to leverage many other advantages to stake its position with respect to innovation. In terms of sustainable development, the Hérault department has significant production capacity based on renewable energies, including both photovoltaic and wind energy. No other metropolises in its category equaled Montpellier in terms of fundraising by startups, or investment in sectors related to the climate transition.