In 2024, there were approximately 870,040 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the construction sector in the United Kingdom, the most of any sector in that year. The sector with the second-highest number of SMEs was the Professional, Scientific and Technical activities sector, at 754,520 SMEs.
Number of small and medium-sized enterprises in the United Kingdom in 2024, by sector
Characteristic
Number of SMEs
Construction
870,040
Professional, Scientific and Technical Activities
754,520
Wholesale and Retail Trade*
558,345
Other Service Activities
367,470
Human Health and Social Work Activities
355,535
Information and Communication
337,705
Transportation and Storage
312,550
Education
298,445
Arts, Entertainment and Recreation
280,290
Manufacturing
246,245
Accommodation and Food Service Activities
211,675
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing
147,800
Real Estate Activities
142,780
Administrative and Support Service Activities
127,720
Financial and Insurance activities
85,890
Mining, energy, water supply, and waste management**
Production activities refers to enterprises in the Mining and Quarrying; Electricity, Gas, Steam and Air Conditioning Supply; Water Supply; Sewerage, Waste Management and Remediation Activities sectors. (B, D and E SIC Codes)
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UK Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, & GOV.UK. (October 3, 2024). Number of small and medium-sized enterprises in the United Kingdom in 2024, by sector [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved December 21, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/291210/sme-small-and-medium-enterprises-united-kingdom-uk-by-sector/
UK Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, und GOV.UK. "Number of small and medium-sized enterprises in the United Kingdom in 2024, by sector." Chart. October 3, 2024. Statista. Accessed December 21, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/291210/sme-small-and-medium-enterprises-united-kingdom-uk-by-sector/
UK Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, GOV.UK. (2024). Number of small and medium-sized enterprises in the United Kingdom in 2024, by sector. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: December 21, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/291210/sme-small-and-medium-enterprises-united-kingdom-uk-by-sector/
UK Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, and GOV.UK. "Number of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises in The United Kingdom in 2024, by Sector." Statista, Statista Inc., 3 Oct 2024, https://www.statista.com/statistics/291210/sme-small-and-medium-enterprises-united-kingdom-uk-by-sector/
UK Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy & GOV.UK, Number of small and medium-sized enterprises in the United Kingdom in 2024, by sector Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/291210/sme-small-and-medium-enterprises-united-kingdom-uk-by-sector/ (last visited December 21, 2024)
Number of small and medium-sized enterprises in the United Kingdom in 2024, by sector [Graph], UK Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, & GOV.UK, October 3, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/291210/sme-small-and-medium-enterprises-united-kingdom-uk-by-sector/
