South Wales has a stronger economy than the rest of Wales. It comprises more than 65% of the population and over 70% of output. Cardiff, Newport and Swansea are the three largest cities and economic centres of South Wales. Inward investment and major new developments such as the Cardiff Bay waterfront, the Wales Millennium Centre, the National Assembly for Wales, the BBC headquarters and the St. David's shopping centre in Cardiff have transformed the region. Cardiff is also home to five universities and University Hospital of Wales, the largest in Wales.
Swansea is the second city of Wales and is home to several large employers such as the Tata Steel plant, the University of Wales Swansea, the Welsh National Opera, Swansea Airport and St. David's shopping centre. Neath Port Talbot is an industrial centre and home to the largest single-site steelworks in the UK.
However, it is important to note that development can vary within Wales, and there are ongoing efforts to promote balanced growth and address regional disparities.