More people are starting businesses in the UK in 2026

Business creation remains strong in the UK, with new company formations and the registered business population continuing to rise.

ONS figures show that 79,325 businesses were created between April and June 2026, up 2.2% on the same quarter a year earlier. Business creations also remained ahead of closures during the period.

Companies House recorded 192,287 incorporations between April and June 2026, taking the total number of companies on the UK register to around 5.52 million.

Is the UK business population growing?

Yes. There were 2.79 million VAT and/or PAYE-registered businesses in the UK in March 2026, up 1.9% on the previous year.

Professional, scientific and technical businesses remain the largest single industry group, while limited companies now make up the majority of registered businesses.

Are people still interested in becoming entrepreneurs?

The latest Global Entrepreneurship Monitor research suggests entrepreneurial intent remains high.

Around 16% of UK adults expect to start a business within the next three years, while more than half believe they have the skills and experience needed to do so.

Fear of failure still holds many people back, however, which shows that interest in entrepreneurship does not always translate into starting a business.

What about self-employment?

Self-employment has shown some recovery during 2026.

ONS figures indicate that the number of self-employed people increased from around 4.39 million at the end of 2025 to 4.60 million in March 2026, before easing slightly later in the year.

While levels remain below some pre-pandemic peaks, the sharp decline seen several years ago appears to have stabilised.

Starting a business is only the first step

Setting up a company is relatively straightforward. Building one that becomes profitable, sustainable and valuable is harder.

New owners need to think about customer demand, cash flow, margins, staffing and how dependent the business is on them personally.

Those are also the things a future buyer is likely to look at.

Thinking about the value of your business?

If you already own a business, understanding what makes it attractive to a buyer can be useful long before you are ready to sell.

At Intelligent, we can provide a free, confidential business Valuation and practical information about the factors likely to influence value.

No jargon. No pressure to sell. Just clear, useful advice.