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It’s been a difficult time for those running a business over the past 20 years, with the 2008 financial crisis, Brexit, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the cost of living crisis affecting the stability of businesses across many industries.

Despite this, the latest 91�㽶��ɫ��Ƶstatistics found that, in 2023, there were around 5.6 million businesses registered in the UK – with 99.9% of these classified as small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).��

Delve deeper into the business landscape and explore the 91�㽶��ɫ��Ƶmarket further with our comprehensive business stats and facts for 2025.

Disclaimer: The data presented on this page indicate the most recent figures available at the time of writing.

Top 10 must-read 91�㽶��ɫ��Ƶstatistics 2025

• At the start of 2024, there were around 5.5 million private sector businesses (down 1.01%, or around 56,000 from the previous year).

• Total SME employment in 2024 was around 16.64 million (59.94%) of all private sector jobs).

• Supermarkets are the most profitable industry in the UK, with their 2025 revenue expected to reach $192 billion.

• In 2024, there were 5.45 million small businesses (0-49 employees) in the UK, accounting for 99.16% of the total business population.��

• As of 2024, there are over 10 million more businesses in the UK than in 2010, representing a rise of more than a fifth (+22.66%).

• As of 31 March 2024, the average age of UK companies is 8.7 years, a decline of almost a fifth (-18.69%) from March 2000 when the average age was 10.7 years.

• In 2023-24, approximately 890,500 new businesses were registered in the UK, an increase of over a tenth (+11.2%) from 2022-23.

• Sole proprietorships account for nearly three-fifths (56%) of all UK businesses (2024).

• At the start of 2024, there was an average of 996 businesses per 10,000 UK adults.

• The construction industry accounts for around a sixth (16%) of all businesses, the greatest individual sector share (2024).

91�㽶��ɫ��Ƶsize statistics

How many businesses are there in the UK?

The latest business statistics from the UK government show that, at the start of 2024, there were nearly 5.5 million (5,498,990) private sector businesses in the UK. This is a decrease of 1.01%, or 56,140 businesses, from the number recorded in 2023 (5,555,130).��

The private sector is largely made up of self-employed owner-operators, sole traders, and small business employers. In fact, SMEs (businesses with between 0 and 249 employees) make up 99.89% of all businesses in the UK.

Of the nearly 5.5 million private sector businesses in the UK, over 1.4 million (1,427,165) had employees, and nearly 4.1 million (4,071,825) had no employees - in other words, self-employed. This means almost three-quarters (74.05%) of UK businesses didn’t employ a single person aside from the owner(s) in 2024.

Number of businesses in the UK and their employment (2024)

(Source: Gov.uk)

The same 91�㽶��ɫ��Ƶstatistics also found that:

• In 2024, there were 5.45 million small businesses in the UK (0-49 employees), accounting for 99.16% of the total business population.��

• There were a further 37,750 medium-sized businesses (50-249 employees), accounting for 0.69% of total businesses.��

• A total of 8,250 businesses were considered “large” (250+ employees), up from 7,960 in 2023 (+3.64%). These companies make up just 0.15% of the UK’s total business population.

UK small business employment statistics

How many jobs are created by small businesses?

The latest UK small business statistics found that, at the start of 2024, SME employment stood at almost 16.7 million (16,637,000). This figure represents a 1.25% rise (+0.2 million) from 2022 (though a 0.47% decrease from 2023) and accounts for three-fifths (60.1%) of all private sector jobs. This means SMEs account for more than three in every five people employed in the UK private sector.

Contribution of different-sized businesses to the total private sector population, employment and turnover (2024)

To break it down further, employment in small businesses was nearly 13 million (around 47% of all private sector jobs), while medium-sized business employment was almost 3.7 million (just over 13% of private sector jobs), according to UK small business statistics.

Despite having a smaller share of businesses, the 8,250 large firms in the UK make a significant contribution to employment and the nation’s turnover. At the start of 2024, they employed over 11.1 million people (40% of private sector jobs) and contributed just under half (47.8%) of the UK’s overall earnings for the year.

How has the business population changed since 2010?��

There are over one million more businesses in the UK in 2024 than there were in 2010, with total numbers rising by over a fifth (+22.66%) over this period, from around 4.48 million to nearly 5.5 million.

Number of private sector businesses in the UK (2010-24)

While the latest business population count of 5,499,000 represents only a minor decrease (-1.01%) from 2023, when there were around 5,555,100 businesses in the UK, the number of businesses has sharply decreased since 2020.��

At the turn of the decade, there were over 5.98 million businesses. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, during which over a million Brits lost their jobs, the business population decreased by 6.51% (2022). Since 2020, the number of businesses has decreased by 481,500 (2024) overall, representing a fall of 8.05% in four years.

91�㽶��ɫ��Ƶage statistics

The average age profile of companies in the UK

The average age of a company has gradually declined from 10.7 years as of March 2000 to 8.7 years by 31 March 2024. This represents a decrease of nearly a fifth (-18.69%) in the space of 24 years.

Since 2000, the steady decline in the average age of a company could be due to the general increasing trend seen in the number of incorporations and dissolutions. Therefore, it’s likely that the increasing number of incorporations has led to a greater number of younger companies on the register, which has lowered the average age of companies overall as a result.

The most recent 91�㽶��ɫ��Ƶreport from the government shows that the average business age (8.6) remained unchanged between 2022 and 2023, having risen from 8.5 years (+1%) in 2021.

Age profile of companies on the UK register (31 March 2024)

A recent UK government business report found that around seven in 10 (71.3%) UK businesses in 2024 had been in existence for less than 10 years.��

Nearly half (49.1%) were aged between zero and four years, with a further fifth (22.2%) aged between five and nine. Less than one in 20 (4.5%) companies had been around for 30 years or more, with just 1.3% exceeding 50 years in business.

UK small business creation statistics

How many new businesses are started each year in the UK?

The total register size for private UK businesses at the end of March 2024 – including those in the process of dissolution and liquidation – was 4,871,801.��

When compared with the same period in March 2023, this is an increase of 4.98%. Inclusive of businesses in the process of dissolution or liquidation, the number of registered businesses at the end of March 2023 was 4,640,582.

Regionally, England and Wales had the highest number of registered companies in 2024, with a combined total of 4,552,451 businesses, up 4.86% from 2023. The latest 91�㽶��ɫ��Ƶstats found that Scotland had 236,654 registered companies (+4.19%), and Northern Ireland had 82,696 registered firms (+14.91%).

Number of newly incorporated private companies on the total register by UK country (2019-2024)

In 2023-24, there were around 890,500 new UK businesses – an increase of a tenth (+11.2%) from the previous year, when the total number of company launches was around 800,800. The 2023-24 figure is the highest total on record since 2019-20.

In 2023-24, there were 473,610 companies in the process of liquidation/dissolution – an increase of just 0.65% compared with 2022-23.

Regionally, the highest rate of increase in the number of dissolutions between 2022-23 and 2023-24 was found in Scotland (+6.03%). ��

Despite these fluctuations, the number of incorporations and dissolutions over time has increased consistently. There were nearly 700,000 more incorporations in 2023-24 compared to 1986-87, when records began, and around 580,000 more dissolutions by comparison.

“Embarking on the journey of starting your own business can be daunting, but with careful planning you can set a solid foundation for success, and join the 890,500 new businesses started in 2023-24.

Begin by identifying a business idea that aligns with your passions and addresses a market gap. Crafting a comprehensive business plan will not only help you clarify your strategy but also assist in securing necessary funding.

Once you have a clear concept, choose an appropriate business structure - be it sole trader, partnership, or limited company - as this decision will influence your legal responsibilities and tax obligations. Registering your business with the relevant authorities is crucial to ensure compliance with legal requirements.”

91�㽶��ɫ��Ƶowner statistics

What kind of firms make up the UK’s business population?

There are three main in the private sector:��

1. Sole proprietorships: A business owned and run by one person, and there is no legal distinction between the owner and the business entity.

2. Ordinary partnerships: A business owned and run by two or more people. No formal agreement is necessary, and partners share risks, costs and responsibilities.��

3. Companies: A business owned by its members. There is limited liability, which means the company’s finances are separate from the personal finances of its owners, and creditors may only pursue the company’s assets to settle a debt.

At the start of 2024, more than half (56%) of the UK private sector was taken up by sole proprietorships or self-employed businesses. Almost two-fifths (38%) of businesses were actively trading companies, and 6% were ordinary partnerships.��

Number of UK businesses in the private sector, with and without employees (2024)

(Source: Gov.uk)

Of the three million sole proprietorships in the UK, more than 2.8 million have no employees. This means that more than nine in 10 (93.57%) sole proprietorships are owned by the self-employed.

This figure is lower within actively trading companies – in this business type, four-fifths (80.52%) record having no employees. Within ordinary partnerships, the proportion of businesses with no employees is significantly lower at 31.89%, which is nearly a third of the proportion within sole proprietorships.

91�㽶��ɫ��Ƶlocation statistics

Which area of the UK is home to the most businesses?

As of the start of 2024, there were roughly 996 businesses per 10,000 resident adults in the UK. This is a decrease of 1.87% from 2023, when there were 1,015 businesses per 10,000 UK adults.

London has the greatest number of businesses per 10,000 residents. At 1,370, those in the capital have nearly two-fifths more businesses (37.55%) than the UK average.

The ‘North-South divide’ is very much apparent in the number of companies across the UK, with just 751 businesses per 10,000 residents in the North East. This is 45.18% fewer than London and the lowest business density rate of all UK countries and English regions.

Number of businesses in the UK private sector per 10,000 adults by UK region (2024)

More than a third (34.37%) of the 91�㽶��ɫ��Ƶpopulation can be found in London or the South East, with around 980,000 and 907,000 businesses, respectively.��

Of these businesses, there are approximately 981,000 SMEs in London, which account for 99.8% of all businesses in the capital. In the South East, there are around 906,000 SMEs, which account for 99.9% of all businesses in the region.

Between 2023-24 and 2024, the overall number of UK businesses decreased by 1%. While the total number of enterprises increased in three UK nations (rising by nearly a fifth in Scotland), this figure decreased by 2.5% in England to approximately 4,790,680 businesses.

The number of private sector businesses increased in only three English regions, with the largest percentage rise documented in the South East (+6.4%).

Six UK regions saw a decline in the number of enterprises between 2023 and 2024. The decline in the North West was the greatest, at almost a tenth (-9.2%).

Which sector has the most UK businesses?

According to the latest UK industry sectors statistics, as of 2024, there were 4.2 million businesses in the services industry (inclusive of all industries except agriculture, manufacturing, and construction). This equates to just over three-quarters (76%) of all companies in the UK.��

The construction industry makes up around a sixth (16%) of the UK’s business population and is almost entirely populated by SMEs (99.9%). A considerable proportion of SMEs were also operating in the professional and scientific (99.98%) and retail sectors (99.97%).

Number of businesses by industry (2024)

(Source: Gov.uk and House of Parliament Library)

At the other end of the scale, the financial and insurance industry accounted for the lowest percentage of total UK businesses in 2024, with the sector making up just 2% of the overall business population (86,140 total enterprises).��

This sector is followed by real estate activities and agriculture, mining, and utilities, which each accounted for 3% of total UK businesses.

Which sectors are growing in the UK?

91�㽶��ɫ��Ƶfacts show that, in 2023, around three in 10 (29%) UK SMEs achieved growth over the year.��

Nearly a third (32%) of UK transport SMEs experienced growth in 2023, making them the most successful businesses by industry.

Percentage of SMEs that achieved growth by industry (2023)

Just over three in 10 (31%) wholesale and retail SMEs achieved growth in 2023, while just under three in 10 (29%) manufacturing SMEs saw similar growth.��

Health SMEs achieved the least growth over the year, though over a fifth (23%) still saw some improvements.

Which 91�㽶��ɫ��Ƶsector employs the most people?

The UK sector that employs the largest number of people is wholesale and retail trade and is responsible for nearly five million employees (4,889,000).

Number of people employed in private sector businesses in the UK, by sector (2024)

As of 2024, the industry employing the lowest number of people in the UK was mining, energy and water supply, and waste management, with only 380,000 UK workers employed in this sector.

The next lowest industry for employment was agriculture, forestry, and fishing, with 499,000 employees - 89.79% fewer than wholesale and retail trade.

Which UK sectors have grown over time?

The latest 91�㽶��ɫ��Ƶstats found that eight industries in the UK managed to grow their business population between 2023 and 2024. They are:

• Health and social work: +4.49%

• Real estate activities: +3.51%

• Arts and recreation: +2.17%

• Education: +2.13%

• Professional and scientific: +0.72%

• Construction: +0.53%

• IT and communications: +0.53%

• Administrative and support services: +0.44%

Total number of UK businesses by industry in 2023 and 2024

(Source: ONS)

Health and social work saw the greatest increase in business population between 2023 and 2024, growing by around 5,000 businesses and representing a growth rate of 4.49%.

The population of three sectors remained unchanged over this period. Agriculture, financial and insurance, and public administration and defence saw no growth or loss between 2023 and 2024, with their populations remaining at 141,000, 59,000, and 8,000, respectively.

Four industries saw their business population decrease between 2023 and 2024. They were:

• Transportation: -9.3%

• Manufacturing: -2.63%

• Retail: -1%

• Accommodation and food: -0.57%

91�㽶��ɫ��Ƶincome statistics

Which 91�㽶��ɫ��Ƶsector makes the most profit?

Recent 91�㽶��ɫ��Ƶstatistics from Statista found that the median profit of SMEs in the UK was approximately £13,000 in 2023. Of all the industries in the UK, SMEs in the property and business services had the highest average profit (£15,000).

Median profit made by UK SMEs across various industries (2023)

At the other end of the scale, four sectors made the joint-least profit on average in 2023, at £11,000. These SME industries are:

• Wholesale and retail

• Hotels and restaurants

• Manufacturing

• Health and social work

These sectors make almost a sixth (15.38%) less than property and business services, on average.

Analysis of 91�㽶��ɫ��Ƶperformance in 2023

As of Q4 2023, more than two-thirds (67%) of SMEs in the UK reported that they had made a profit in the previous 12 months, compared with less than one in 10 (8%) that broke even and around one in seven (14%) that made a loss.

Business performance of SMEs in the UK (Q1 2012 to Q4 2023)

Business income statistics found that the share of SMEs making a profit remained relatively stable across 2022 before rising between the first two quarters of 2023. Over this period, the proportion of SMEs reporting a profit rose from three-fifths (61%) to seven in 10 (70%).

The proportion of businesses that broke even remained fairly stable between 2022 and 2023. This figure only fluctuated slightly between 5% and 8%.

Throughout 2022-2023, the proportion of businesses that made a loss fluctuated between a tenth (10%) and under a fifth (18%). The greatest figure here was recorded in Q1 2022, while the lowest was seen in Q2 2023. By the end of 2023 (Q4), the proportion of businesses that made a loss sat at around one in seven (14%).

91�㽶��ɫ��Ƶfinance statistics

91�㽶��ɫ��Ƶlending statistics 2024

Gross lending was up in each quarter of 2024 when compared to the same quarter the year before. In light of this, the overall year-on-year increase in gross lending was up by almost a seventh (13%), bringing the total new lending to £16 billion in 2024. While the use of core finance, including credit cards, loans, and overdrafts, decreased from 31% to 28% between 2023 and 2024, other forms of finance, such as leasing (20%), remained stable.

However, this figure comes nowhere close to 2020, when borrowing accelerated past £100 billion (£104.8 billion) at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. The record gross lending in 2020 was driven by the Bank’s Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Schemes, particularly the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) and the Bounce Back Loan Scheme (BBLS), which were the most relevant to SMEs.

Why funding was required by UK SMEs (2023-24)

In 2024, the top reason UK SMEs sought external finance was to secure working capital, with just over half (51%) of all SMEs nominating this reason. This figure is down slightly from 2023, when nearly three-fifths (58%) sought funding for this reason.

Along with working capital, three other motivations decreased between 2023 and 2024 – refinancing, help with energy costs, and help with reducing carbon emissions. However, the proportion of businesses requiring funding for either working capital or for refinancing purposes decreased the most, with each reason dropping by seven percentage points between 2023 and 2024.

Meanwhile, factors including the purchase of fixed assets, investment in business growth, and the development of new products and services all increased in popularity over the same period.

The proportion of businesses seeking funding to invest in business growth increased the most between 2023 and 2024, rising by six percentage points.

The proportion of SMEs seeking external finance to deal with recovery remained unchanged between 2023 and 2024 at under a fifth (18%).

How many UK small businesses use external finance?

According to a 91�㽶��ɫ��Ƶreport from SME Finance Monitor, less than half (45%) of SMEs used external finance in 2024. This figure is only marginally less than the proportion of SMEs seeking external finance in 2023 (46%).

Businesses with no employees (i.e. the self-employed) were the least likely to use external finance, with only two-fifths (41%) seeking support in 2024. This figure rose to more than half (54%) of SMEs with one to nine employees and almost two-thirds (65%) of those with 10-49 employees. The use of finance then dropped to roughly two-fifths (43%) of SMEs with 50-249 employees.

What is external finance?

Sources of finance that come from outside a business. These include friends and family, bank loans and overdrafts, venture capital and business angels, new partners, share issue, trade credit, leasing, hire purchase, and government grants.

SME demand for finance in the UK (2023-2025)

The rate of loans to SMEs generally increased throughout 2024. While in January 2024, there were 4.8% fewer loans to small businesses than a year prior, by December the respective figure was at only -1.9%. This is following a sharp rise in loans to SMEs seen from August 2024 (-3.8%).

As of January 2025, loans to SMEs were down slightly from the year before, with a decrease of 1.7%.

How much finance is sought by SMEs in the UK?

Businesses with employees are more likely to seek larger amounts of external finance (61%) than firms with no employees (23%).��

Furthermore, employers are more likely to seek higher amounts than zero-employee companies. In fact, in 2024, nearly a quarter (23%) of SME employers sought external finance exceeding £100,000 – almost five times as many as companies with no employees (25%).

Value of external finance sought by UK SMEs (2024)

(Source: British Business Bank)

Companies with no employees are most likely to seek finance of between £10,000 and £24,999, at over a third (34%).

Meanwhile, SME employers tend to seek more finance, with nearly two-fifths (38%) applying for loans of between £25,000 and £99,999.

Looking for a better way to manage your business finances? Visit our site to compare the best deals on business savings accounts alongside expert advice on opening a savings account.

91�㽶��ɫ��Ƶinsurance statistics 2023

The latest UK business insurance statistics found that 44% of SMEs in the UK have no commercial insurance – up from 40% in 2021. This amounts to over 2.4 million SMEs in the UK.

A further 40% are thought to be underinsured, meaning their premises and assets are insured for less than their full value. This figure could be as high as 50%, with inflation, extreme weather, and distribution and supply issues in wake of the war in Ukraine expected to have further increased the number of underinsured businesses.��

The UK insurance industry is the fourth largest in the world and the biggest in Europe, with UK insurers typically paying out at least £22 million per day in business insurance claims. Of these claims, around £7.6 million per day comes from liability claims, with £1.8 million from employers' liability.��

Claims paid out in the UK account for 20.5% of the overall total across Europe. Professional Indemnity (PI) claims are the most frequent business claims made in the UK, with over a quarter of claims relating to PI claims such as professional negligence and breach of copyright.

What are the greatest risks facing businesses in 2025?

According to global risk management experts, the greatest risk facing businesses in 2025 is cyber incidents, with nearly two-fifths (38%) of experts rating this as one of the top three risks facing businesses.

Greatest risks facing businesses, according to global risk management experts (2025)

Business interruption is the only other threat to businesses ranked by over three in 10 (31%) risk management experts. This is where a business is unable to trade following an unexpected event, such as fire or flood damage, or theft of equipment.��

Several environmental factors are also among the top risks facing businesses, according to experts, with natural catastrophes (29%), climate change (19%), and fire and explosion (17%) all ranking within the top 10.

What are the most common types of business insurance claims?

Recent business stats found that fire and explosion was the most common single cause of loss by value for businesses globally, accounting for more than a fifth (21%) of all instances.

Percentage of business loss of value incidents globally by event

Natural catastrophes were the next most common cause (15%), with the top two accounting for nearly 40% of the overall total. Natural catastrophes were responsible for 6% more loss-of-value incidents than both faults and aviation crashes combined, which were the joint-third highest causes (9%).

Find comprehensive advice on how to make a claim on your business insurance in the event of a financial loss.

How many UK businesses have cyber insurance?

As seen earlier in this section, risk management experts have rated cyber incidents as the greatest risk facing businesses in 2025. Despite cyber-attacks posing threats to businesses of all sizes, the latest 91�㽶��ɫ��Ƶstatistics found that many SMEs do not protect their business with cyber insurance. Of the different sizes of SMEs, more than half (56%) of medium-sized businesses had invested in cyber insurance, along with 40% of small businesses and just 17% of micro businesses.����

Though cybercrime has been traditionally seen as a problem affecting large companies, a recent 91�㽶��ɫ��Ƶreport found that 96% of all cyber-attacks are directed at SMEs, with the risks for many businesses increasing since they moved more of their operations online during the pandemic.

Percentage of business that have cybersecurity insurance by policy type and business size (2024)

Of the different sized SMEs, only two-fifths (41%) of micro businesses have cyber security cover, with around 6% having obtained a specialist insurance policy.

Medium and large-sized businesses are the most likely to have taken out a cybersecurity policy in some form, with a quarter (25% and 26% respectively) taking out a specialist policy as of winter 2023/24.

UK online business statistics��

The UK has the most advanced e-commerce market in Europe. According to the most recent figures from the ONS, the UK e-commerce market revenue in January 2025 amounted to around £2.2 billion – a 0.95% increase from the year before.

UK online retail statistics

The latest UK online business statistics found that in January 2025, online sales accounted for over a quarter (26.8%) of total retail sales in the UK.

Since 2006, the highest proportion of online sales was recorded in February 2021, when online sales constituted almost two-fifths (37%) of all retail sales.

91�㽶��ɫ��Ƶfounder statistics 2023 (exclusive data)

In a bid to find out which university produces the highest percentage of business founders, our exclusive study looked at the number of listed founders for universities across the UK. By comparing this figure with the total number of listed alumni (or former students) in each establishment, we were able to rank each university by the percentage of alumni that went on to start their own business.

Which university produces the most business founders?��

Our independent study found that universities in London dominated when it came to producing business founders, with seven of the top 10 based in the English capital.��

With nearly 30,000 founders across 268,000 listed alumni, The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) was found to be the UK university with the highest percentage of business founders. With 11.1% of its former students listed as founders, LSE was the only UK university where more than 10% of alumni have gone on to start a business.

10 UK universities with the highest percentage of business founders in 2023

(Source: money.co.uk via LinkedIn and HESA)

Though second-placed Oxford University had 36% more founders than third-place University of the Arts, it had substantially more alumni, meaning its overall founder percentage was just 0.1% higher (9.79% vs 9.78%). Similarly, though fifth-placed Cambridge University was found to have the most founders of any establishment (32,719), it also had the highest number of alumni (359,917) – resulting in an overall percentage of 8.94%.

The University of Edinburgh was the only non-English university in the top 10, finishing tenth with a total of 13,802 founders (7.61%). There were no universities from the North of England, Wales, or Northern Ireland in the top 10, with the University of Durham (23rd), Cardiff University (63rd), and Queen's University Belfast (109th) being the highest-ranking universities from these places, respectively.��

10 universities with the lowest percentage of business founders

(Source: money.co.uk via LinkedIn and HESA)

Universities with the lowest percentage of business founders were more geographically diverse than those with the highest numbers – every UK country had at least one university in the top 10.

With less than 1,000 founders (812) out of nearly 37,000 alumni, Lancashire’s Edge Hill University was found to be the UK university with the lowest percentage of founders (2.21%).

Edge Hill was followed by Harper Adams University in Wales which obtained a slightly higher founder percentage (2.44%), despite having around 64% fewer founders than Edge Hill and the lowest total of any university (289).

The University of the Highlands and Islands was the university with the lowest founder percentage in Scotland, with its total of 2.73% the fifth lowest in the UK overall.��

Northern Ireland’s Ulster University had more founders (3,226) than the other universities on the list, but its comparatively high alumni count of 116,088 gave it the sixth-lowest founder percentage overall (2.88%).

Which degree produces the most business founders?

The latest 91�㽶��ɫ��Ƶstatistics show that the highest number of graduate founders came from degrees relating to business or finance, with each of the top three degrees related to one or both of these subjects.

Business admin and management was found to be the degree that produced by far the most founders. With an overall total of 67,491 graduate founders, the subject produced 21% more founders than the second-highest degree (economics) and 58% more than tenth-placed law.��

10 university degrees with the highest number of graduate business founders

There is a considerable gap between the top three degrees and the rest of the degrees in the top 10. Business admin and management, economics, and business/commerce are the top three degrees and their combined figures account for around 43% of the total founders in the top 10.��

While there is a gap of just 6% between second-placed economics (53,619) and third-placed business/commerce (50,382), this is followed by a drop of 22% between the latter subject and fourth-placed marketing (39,358).

The remaining degrees in the top 10 have more comparable numbers, with just over 5,000 founders separating maths in fifth place and tenth-placed law – a gap of around 16%.

10 university degrees with the lowest number of graduate business founders

Computer games and animation was found to be the degree that produced the lowest number of business founders, with its overall total of 671 around 47% less than the next lowest degree (health services, allied health, and health sciences), and 99% less than business admin and management (the degree with the highest number of founders).

Graduates in subjects related to health or social care were found to be less likely to form businesses, with 50% of the degrees with the least founders related to one or both of these subjects. Of these degrees, eighth-placed biomedical sciences was the degree with the most founders (2,294).

Though tourism and travel services management was found to have the tenth lowest number of founders, its total of 4,467 meant that it produced 28% more founders than cinematography and film/video production in ninth. Additionally, tourism and travel services produced over six times more founders than computer games and animation (the degree with the lowest number of founders).

How has the number of women in business changed over time in the UK?

The latest 91�㽶��ɫ��Ƶstatistics report that there are over 1.5 million (1,597,000) self-employed women as of Q3 2024, an increase of 3.57% on the previous quarter (1,542,000).

From 1984 (the earliest data on record) to 2003, the number of self-employed women in the UK rose by 40%, from 646,000 to 906,000. From here, the numbers continued to accelerate, exceeding 1 million in January 2007 before rising past 1.5 million in January 2017.

After reaching a peak total of 1.7 million in January 2020, numbers decreased by 15% over the next two years, to just under 1.5 million. The downward trend reversed in January 2023, however, with the number of self-employed women rising to 1.6 million – a 10% increase on the same time the previous year.

Number of self-employed workers in the UK by gender (Q4 2019 - Q3 2024)

While the difference between the number of self-employed men and women in the UK has closed slightly over this period, it remains significant. Though the decline in self-employed men in 2020 was substantially sharper than that of women, the recent total of 2.7 million in Q3 2024 represents a rise of around 10% from the same time in 2003. As such, there are still just under three-quarters (71.51%) more self-employed men in the UK than women.��

In addition to the above data, a report published by the BVA Group in January 2024 found that almost a quarter (23%) of all SMEs are led by women.��

The same report also found that women-led businesses are less likely to use external finance or trade credit and are more reluctant to borrow than men. For example, less than three in 10 (28%) women-led businesses use trade credit, compared to two-fifths (40%) of male-led businesses. They are also slightly less likely to meet the definition of an ambitious risk-taker than their male counterparts (24% vs 28%, respectively), as women are slightly less interested in becoming a bigger business and less inclined to take a risk.

What are the biggest companies in the UK in 2025?

Which companies in the UK have the biggest market cap?

The latest 91�㽶��ɫ��Ƶstatistics from the London Stock Exchange found that AstraZeneca had the highest market cap of any UK company in March 2025, with the pharmaceutical company valued at £186.59 billion.

AstraZeneca’s market cap is worth around a tenth (10.34%) more than Linde. The chemical company has the second-highest market cap in the UK, at £169.1 billion.

10 biggest companies in the UK by market cap (2025)

Three other companies surpassed the £100 billion mark as of March 2025, including bank HSBC (£155.42 billion), energy company Shell (£155.04 billion), and consumer goods company Unilever (£115.07 billion).

In tenth position is information and analytics company RELX. With a market cap of £67.97 billion, RELX is worth almost two-thirds (63.57%) less than the UK’s biggest company, AstraZeneca.

Which companies generate the most revenue in the UK?

Recent 91�㽶��ɫ��Ƶstatistics found that Shell was the UK company that generated the most revenue of any business in 2024. With a total revenue of £284.31 billion, the British fuel company made almost two-thirds (64%) more money than rival BP in second place.

Shell was followed in the list by a direct competitor in the fuel industry, with BP generating a total revenue of £189.18 billion. Though its revenue was nearly £100 billion lower than Shell’s, BP’s total revenue was still almost three-quarters (72%) higher than Prudential in third place.

10 biggest companies in the UK by revenue (2024)

Prudential was the only non-fuel-based company to record revenue above £100 billion between 2023-24, with the insurance company generating £128.42 billion.

Despite only having the 31st highest market cap in the UK, Tesco recorded the fourth-highest revenue of all UK companies between 2023-24 (£86.34 billion).

Which industries generate the most revenue in the UK?

According to the latest UK industry sectors statistics, supermarkets are the most profitable business type in the UK, with the sector expected to generate $192 billion in 2025.

10 biggest industries in the UK by revenue (2025)

The top six most profitable industries are each expected to earn over $100 billion in 2025. These sectors include:

• Supermarkets

• Construction contractors

• New car and light motor vehicle dealers

• Banks

• Pension funding

• Hospitals

Meanwhile, four industries, including residential construction, management consultants, business process outsourcing, and general insurance, are predicted to earn in the region of $72 to $97 billion.

General insurance, in tenth position, is expected to earn a revenue of $72.9 billion in 2025, meaning the industry may earn three-fifths (62.03%) less than supermarkets.