Business demography quarterly, UK - January to March 2025

30th April 2025

The number of businesses added to the Inter-Departmental Business Register (IDBR) (business creations) in the UK in Quarter 1 (Jan to March) 2025 was 89,515, a rise of 2.8% on Quarter 1 2024.

There was an increase in creations in 12 out of 16 main industrial groups in Quarter 1 2025 compared with Quarter 1 2024, with the most significant rise coming from the retail industry.

The number of businesses removed from the IDBR (business closures) in the UK in Quarter 1 2025 was 83,425; this figure is 4.4% lower than the number of closures in Quarter 1 2024.

There was a decrease in the number of closures in 6 out of 16 main industrial groups in Quarter 1 2025 compared with Quarter 1 2024; the most significant fall came from the business administration and support services industry.

The number of business creations in the UK in Quarter 1 (Jan to March) 2025 was 89,515. This is 2.8% higher than the number of business creations in Quarter 1 2024.

The number of business creations increased in 12 out of 16 main industrial groups during this quarter, compared with Quarter 1 2024. The most significant rise came in the retail industry (up 9.7%).

Business closures
Business closures are those removed from the Inter-Departmental Business Register (IDBR). A business is removed from the IDBR if its turnover and employment are zero for several periods, or if the Office for National Statistics (ONS) is notified that the business has ceased trading through an administrative or survey source.

The number of business closures in the UK in Quarter 1 (Jan to March) 2025 was 83,425.

This is 4.4% lower than in Quarter 1 2024, with 6 out of 16 main industrial groups showing a decrease in closures. The most significant decrease came in the business administration and support services industry (down 20.2%).

Read the full ONS report HERE