London has a thriving economy and is one of the most important business cities in the world. London's gross value added (GVA) per head is 53 per cent above the national average. But it also faces challenges, with issues such as immigration, unemployment and the environment all having been in the spotlight.
London's population has grown significantly in recent years both from births exceeding deaths and by net immigration. Almost one third of Londoners are from non-White ethnic groups.
Combined, London's airports carry three quarters of all scheduled air passengers in the UK.
The resident labour force of 3.8 million people is supplemented by commuters. Around a fifth of London's 4.6 million jobs are filled by people who live outside the capital. However, London has the highest unemployment rate in the UK as a whole, and the three highest unemployment rates at local authority level.
The average weekly household income (from all sources) in London is £304 per person - over 20 per cent higher than the national average. But two out of five children in London live in low income households.
After years of below average performance, GCSE results in London are now slightly better than the national average; both overall and in most ethnic groups.
In 2005 the average property price in London was £289,000 - 50 per cent higher than the national average - although prices vary significantly across London.
London has more parks and green areas than any other city of a similar size in the world. But there are high levels of air pollution across London - particularly in Inner London and at Heathrow airport.
Around a quarter of Londoners smoke - the same percentage as nationally - but Londoners have the lowest alcohol consumption of any region.
The rate of recorded crime in London in 2005/06 was 30 per cent higher than for the whole of England and Wales.
As well as the five in-depth chapters which are summarised in the pages accessible via the 'related links', "Focus on London 2007" includes tables on: Economy and Industry; Transport; Housing; Crime and Justice; Health and Care; Income and Lifestyles; and London Government.
Note: Low income: in this summary, low income is defined as below 60 per cent of contemporary median equivalised household disposable income after housing costs.
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