Edinburgh has a truly diverse economy. The finance sector is incredibly important to the city, having been a financial hub for 300 years. It remains the second largest centre for finance in the UK, after London, and fourth in Europe. The digital and tech sectors are also thriving; around 17,130 people work in digital businesses, and the city's universities are an important source of innovation and development, as well as providing a highly-skilled workforce.  

Edinburgh is known for its arts and cultural scene, and this has been a big contributor to the economy. In 2015 the city's twelve festivals provided a total of £280 million. The city's airport is another big revenue generator, contributing almost £1 billion to the Scottish economy each year.