Statistics of companies in UK
Companies population in United Kingdom
The following statistics consists of data of 12,261,590 companies registered in United Kingdom.
Last update of company data was on 08/08/2026.
Companies location and business activity breakdown in United Kingdom
The region with the highest number of companies - 3,593,131 is London. Northern Ireland has the lowest number of companies - 163,999. The top three most frequently registered business activities are Wholesale, retail - 15.3%, Science - 13.8% and Administrative - 10.2%.
Number of companies by region 12,043,065 companies with data in United Kingdom
Business activity overview 11,580,547 companies with data in United Kingdom
Industrial classification of companies in United Kingdom
The Standard Industrial Classification code (SIC code) is a system of classifying industries in UK by business activities. Each company can operate under multiple SIC codes. The top three business activities for the whole of the UK are Other letting and operating of own or leased real estate - 5.3%, Other business support service - 5.3% and Management consultancy exl. financial - 5.0%.
Distribution of companies by SIC CODE 11,580,547 companies with data in United Kingdom
Companies population incorporation and dissolution trend in United Kingdom
The highest number of incorporated companies in any one month is 98,494 in in April 2024. There are usually fewer dissolved companies than incorporated, the highest number recorded being for March 2021 - 96,964 companies were dissolved.
Incorporation and dissolution of companies by month United Kingdom
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Persons with significant control
in companies in United Kingdom
Persons with Significant Control (PSC) have been registered in Companies House since April 2016. PSC have various functions, e.g. ownership of shares or voting rights. In this section we analyse companies with at least one Person with Significant Control from a foreign country.
Top countries with local PSCs in companies in United Kingdom
The most popular country, as regards to PSC origin, is China. In January 2026, there were 50,655 companies with at least one PCS from China. Other popular countries are United States, Turkey and Pakistan.
Top 10 countries with local PSCs United Kingdom
Percentage of companies with foreign PSCs being incorporated each month in the United Kingdom
The highest proportion of companies with a foreign PSC to be incorporated in one month was in January 2023 - 12.02%. Since 2017 the number of dissolutions has exceeded the number of new incorporations. The highest proportion to be dissolved in one month was 8.65% was in March 2025. The low number of dissolutions in 2016 is the result of only a small number of companies registering their PSC in Company House in that year.
