A JRF report, titled ‘Uneven growth: tackling city decline’, considered a range of long-term economic factors including population change, unemployment rates, job creation and numbers of highly qualified workers.

Dundee was placed seventh in the list, just ahead of Hull and Grimsby, while Glasgow was ranked 16th. The UK city with the most rapid decline was Rochdale.

Among the most successful cities in the UK were Aberdeen and Edinburgh.

The report notes that many of the cities mentioned are growing, but that the growth is lagging significantly behind national levels.

Josh Stott, policy and research manager at JRF, said: “Britain has the potential to become a more prosperous country, with George Osborne’s Northern Powerhouse playing a key role in rebalancing the economy.

“But it must reach all parts of the North to ensure prosperity is shared. To rebalance the economy and ensure local growth provides opportunity for all households, the Treasury needs to ensure areas outside of core cities are not left behind.”

He added: “City leaders, with a new suite of powers at their disposal, must also show leadership to do their part to ensure growth and prosperity is shared by all.”

Dundee City West MSP Joe FitzPatrick said the city has already turned a corner and the fight-back is underway.

He said: “In recent weeks we have had announcements including £10 million investment in the Port of Dundee, a new direct air link to Amsterdam; an extra £63m invested in the Waterfront; and the continuing exponential growth in our video games sector.

“All these are all indicators that Dundee is a city looking at an exciting and prosperous future.”