With its 2.9 million inhabitants, the economic region making up Saint-Étienne and Lyons comprises an urban area which is at the forefront of Europe.

An economy on an international scale:

• 1.2 million jobs, 68.4% of which are in the service sector

• 100 companies with over 1,000 employees with head offices in the Lyons and Saint-Étienne economic region

• 541 companies with overseas capital with over 50 employees, making a total of 98,000 jobs

• 7 innovation clusters named as such by central government.

An innovative metropolis:

• 150,000 students in further education

• Over 700 exchange partnerships with overseas universities

• 12% of university students from overseas and 25% of overseas students studying at postgraduate level.