Accredited official statistics

DCMS economic estimates: Business demographics, 2025 - main report

Published 27 November 2025

1. Background

• Release date: 27 November 2025
• Next release: Winter 2026
• Geographic coverage: United Kingdom and ITL1 regions
• Time coverage: March 2019 to March 2025
• Responsible analyst: Wilmah Tawaziwa

This release provides estimates of the number, employment size, and turnover of businesses within the DCMS sectors (excluding civil society) using snapshots of the Inter-Departmental Business Register (IDBR) published in the ONS UK business: activity, size and location release. The number of employees and turnover generated are both measures of business size. Data on the number of businesses and business sites is rounded to the nearest five.

These statistics help us to understand the landscape of businesses in the included DCMS sectors. However, the number of businesses is not the same as economic performance. A drop in the number of businesses for a sector does not necessarily mean that there has been a corresponding decrease in the sector’s economic output. For example, the number of creative industries businesses fell between 2019 and 2025 whereas GVA over this period is estimated to have increased.

The DCMS sectors covered in this release are:

• creative industries
• cultural sector
• gambling sector
• sport sector
• tourism industries, constructed on a different basis to the tourism sector estimates in our other economic estimates releases

In the majority of the DCMS economic estimates publications the estimates of tourism are based on results from the Tourism Satellite Account (TSA), which estimates the direct economic impact of tourism (or tourists) on the economy as a proportion of each standard industrial class. The Tourism Satellite Account produces estimates of the number of enterprises in the Tourism sector, however these estimates do not provide any further business demography information for use in this release. The figures in this release are therefore based on a “tourism industries” approach, which counts any establishment in an industry for which the principal activity is a tourism characteristic activity, i.e. it includes 100% of the businesses in a subset of the standard industrial classes. As such, the estimates for the tourism industries in this release are larger than they might otherwise have been under a satellite account approach and therefore account for a greater proportion of the DCMS sector total than in other economic estimates publications.

The terms “DCMS sectors (excluding/excl. civil society)” and “included DCMS sectors” are used interchangeably in this report. This is to reflect that no estimates are available for the civil society sector in this release, because civil society organisations are not identifiable in the Inter-Departmental Business Register (IDBR) dataset and therefore business demographic estimates cannot be produced on the same basis. 

Please note that the DCMS sectors are not mutually exclusive; industries may contribute to and be classified as more than one sector. Due to these overlaps, summing the number of businesses in individual sectors would give a total greater than the actual value. When calculating the DCMS sector total, these overlaps are accounted for and businesses are only counted once rather than multiple times.

2. Headline findings

2.1 DCMS sectors

Number of businesses in the included DCMS sectors

In March 2025, the total number of businesses in the included DCMS sectors was 599,425. This represented 21.9% of the 2,734,615 UK registered businesses. This includes 335,230 in the tourism industries, 269,655 in the creative industries, 84,595 in the overlapping cultural sector, 45,075 in the sport sector and 865 in the gambling sector. Importantly, estimates for the tourism industries in this release are constructed on a different basis to the tourism sector estimates in our other economic estimates, and are larger as they consider the entire industry rather than strictly tourism activity.

Figure 1: Estimated number of registered businesses in the included DCMS sectors and the UK, March 2025.

Please note that due to the overlaps between the DCMS sectors, for example where some industries are simultaneously classed as being in the creative industries and cultural sector, the sum of totals will not add up to the included DCMS sectors totals and the sum of proportions will not equal 100%.

Changes over time in the number of businesses in the included DCMS sectors

In March 2025, the number of businesses in the included DCMS sectors increased by 1.5% from March 2024 and by 1.6% from March 2019. In comparison, the number of UK registered businesses in March 2025 was similar to both March 2024 (+0.4%) and March 2019 (+0.6%). However, the trends in the number of businesses vary considerably between sectors: 

• businesses in the cultural sector saw the highest relative growth (+2.7%) between March 2024 and March 2025 and also increased (+15.8%) between March 2019 and March 2025.
• businesses in the creative industries increased slightly (+0.6%) between March 2024 and March 2025. However, the sector saw a decrease (-9.4%) between March 2019 and March 2025.
• businesses in the tourism industries increased (+2.3%) between March 2024 and March 2025 and also saw an increase (+12.2%) between March 2019 and March 2025.
• businesses in the sports sector increased (+2.0%) between March 2024 and March 2025 and also increased (+15.0%) between March 2019 and March 2025.
• businesses in the gambling sector decreased (-1.7%) between March 2024 and March 2025 and also decreased (-18.8%) between March 2019 and March 2025.

Figure 2: Index of total number of registered businesses in the included DCMS sectors and the UK, March 2019 to March 2025, March 2019 = 100

Please note that where there is a change in the number of businesses, it does not necessarily mean there has been a corresponding change in the sector’s economic output.

Size of businesses in the included DCMS sectors

Business size can be measured either as the number of employees, or the turnover generated.

Size of business by number of employees in the included DCMS sectors

In March 2025, the vast majority (87.5%) of businesses in the included DCMS sectors fell into the micro (0-9) employment band, a slightly lower proportion than that for UK registered businesses overall (89.1%). In each included DCMS sector, the majority of businesses were in the micro (0 to 9) employment band, however, there is a variation between sectors. 

The cultural sector and creative industries had the largest proportion of micro businesses (95.4% and 93.4% respectively) while the gambling sector had the lowest proportion (64.2%).

Figure 3: Percentage of registered businesses in the included DCMS sectors and the UK by employment band, March 2025

Between March 2019 and March 2025, the proportion of micro businesses (0 to 9 employees) in the included DCMS sectors has decreased slightly from 88.3% to 87.5%. Over the same period, the proportion of small businesses (10 to 49 employees) increased slightly from 10.1% to 10.8%. The proportions of medium (50 to 249 employees) and large (250+ employees) businesses have remained relatively stable at 0.7% and 0.2%. 

Size of business by annual turnover band in the included DCMS sectors

In March 2025, businesses in the included DCMS sectors were more likely to be in a lower turnover band than UK registered businesses overall. 71.6% of businesses in the included DCMS sectors have a turnover of less than £250,000, compared to 65.3% of UK registered businesses overall. This was true for each of the included DCMS sectors except for the gambling sector, where 41.0% of registered businesses had a turnover of less than £250,000.

Figure 4: Distribution of registered businesses in the included DCMS sectors and the UK by turnover band (£000s), March 2025

Similar to UK businesses overall, between March 2019 and March 2025, the proportion of businesses in the included DCMS sectors with a turnover of less than £250,000 has fallen, while the proportion of businesses with a turnover of over £1 million has increased. Turnover figures have not been adjusted for inflation, which is likely to be a factor in these changes. 

Regional distribution of business sites in the included DCMS sectors

Unlike the rest of the report which focuses on the number of businesses (or enterprises), this section reports the regional distribution of business sites (or local units). These are defined as:

• an enterprise (or business) is an organisation unit producing goods or services which has a certain degree of autonomy in decision-making
• local units (or business sites) are individual sites (e.g. a factory or a shop) that belong to an enterprise  

In March 2025, there were 683,925 business sites in the included DCMS sectors, representing 21.5% of the 3,180,620 UK registered business sites overall.

Business sites in the included DCMS sectors varied in their distribution across regions (as defined by the International Territorial Level 1, or ITL1, geographic classification of administrative areas), with those in some sectors (such as sport and gambling) being more evenly spread around the UK than others (such as the creative industries).

Overall, business sites in the included DCMS sectors are more concentrated in London compared to the UK economy as a whole. In March 2025, 24.3% of business sites in the included DCMS sectors were located in London, compared to 18.8% of UK registered business sites overall. Across the UK regions, Northern Ireland had the lowest number of business sites in the included DCMS sectors (2.0%), whereas the North East had the lowest number of UK registered business sites overall (2.9%). 

The proportion of business sites located in London also varies by DCMS sector. The cultural sector and the creative industries have the highest proportion of business sites in London (40.1% and 33.9% respectively) while the sport sector has the lowest proportion (11.7%). 

The regional distribution of business sites in the included DCMS sectors has been relatively stable since March 2019, although the gap between the regions with the largest and smallest number of business sites (London and Northern Ireland) has slightly narrowed.

Figure 5: Regional distribution of business sites in the included DCMS sectors, March 2025

2.2 Creative industries

Number of businesses in the creative industries

In March 2025, there were 269,655 businesses in the creative industries, making up 9.9% of UK registered businesses overall. The number of businesses in the creative industries decreased by 9.4% between March 2019 and March 2025 and increased slightly by 0.6% between March 2024 and March 2025. 

Size of businesses by number of employees in the creative industries

In March 2025, the vast majority (93.4%) of businesses in the creative industries fell into the micro (0-9) employment band, a higher proportion than that for UK registered businesses overall (89.1%).

Size of businesses by annual turnover in the creative industries

In March 2025, 77.8% of businesses in the creative industries had a turnover of less than £250,000, a higher proportion than that for UK registered businesses overall (65.3%).

Regional distribution of business sites in the creative industries

In March 2025, there were 278,215 business sites in the creative industries, representing 8.7% of the 3,180,620 UK registered business sites overall. 33.9% of the business sites in the creative industries were in London, a higher proportion than that for UK registered business sites overall (18.8%). 

2.3 Cultural sector

Number of businesses in the cultural sector

In March 2025, there were 84,595 businesses in the cultural sector, making up 3.1% of UK registered businesses overall. The number of businesses in the cultural sector increased by 15.8% between March 2019 to March 2025 and by 2.7% between March 2024 and March 2025, the highest increase across all businesses in the included DCMS sectors.

Size of businesses by number of employees in the cultural sector

In March 2025, the majority (95.4%) of businesses in the cultural sector fell into the micro (0-9) employment band, a higher proportion than that for UK registered businesses overall (89.1%).

Size of businesses by annual turnover in the cultural sector

In March 2025, 77.1% of businesses in the cultural sector had a turnover of less than £250,000, a higher proportion than that for UK registered businesses overall (65.3%).

Regional distribution of business sites in the cultural sector

In March 2025, there were 90,160 business sites in the cultural sector, representing 2.8% of the 3,180,620 UK registered business sites overall. 40.1% of the business sites in the cultural sector were in London, a higher proportion than that for UK registered business sites overall (18.8%).                                                                                                                                              

2.4 Gambling

Number of businesses in the gambling sector

In March 2025, there were 865 businesses in the gambling sector, making up 0.03% of UK registered businesses overall. The number of businesses in the gambling sector decreased steadily by 18.8% between March 2019 to March 2025 and by 1.7% between March 2024 and March 2025. 

Size of businesses by number of employees in the gambling sector

In March 2025, the majority (64.2%) of businesses in the gambling sector fell into the micro (0 to 9) employment band, a lower proportion than that for UK registered businesses overall (89.1%).

Size of businesses by annual turnover in the gambling sector

In March 2025, 41.0% of businesses in the gambling sector had a turnover of less than £250,000, a lower proportion than that for UK registered businesses overall (65.3%). 26.6% of businesses in the gambling sector had a turnover of over £1 million, a higher proportion than that for UK registered businesses overall (11.5%).

Regional distribution of business sites in the gambling sector

In March 2025, there were 9,245 business sites in the gambling sector, representing 0.3% of the 3,180,620 UK registered business sites overall. 21.0% of the business sites in the gambling sector were in London, a higher proportion than that for UK registered business sites overall (18.6%).  

2.5 Sport

Number of businesses in the sport sector

In March 2025, there were 45,075 businesses in the sport sector, making up 1.6% of UK registered businesses overall. The number of businesses in the sport sector increased by 15.0% between March 2019 and March 2025 and by 2.0% between March 2024 and March 2025.

Size of businesses by number of employees in the sport sector

In March 2025, the majority (84.8%) of businesses in the sport sector fell into the micro (0-9) employment band, a slightly lower proportion than that for UK registered businesses overall (89.1%). 

Size of businesses by annual turnover in the sport sector

In March 2025, 69.5% of businesses in the sports sector had a turnover of less than £250,000, a slightly higher proportion than that for UK registered businesses overall (65.3%). 

Regional distribution of business sites in the sport sector

In March 2025, there were 52,855 business sites in the sport sector, representing 1.7% of the 3,180,620 UK registered business sites overall. 16.1% of business sites in the sports sector were located in the South East region, a higher proportion than that for UK registered business sites (14.6%). 11.7% of the business sites in the sport sector were in London, a lower proportion than that for UK registered business sites overall (18.8%). 

2.6 Tourism industries

Number of businesses in the tourism industries

In March 2025, there were 335,230 businesses in the tourism industries, making up 12.3% of UK registered businesses overall. The number of businesses in the tourism industries increased by 12.2% between March 2019 and March 2025 and by 2.3% between March 2024 and March 2025.

Size of businesses by number of employees in the tourism industries

In March 2025, the vast majority (83.7%) of businesses in the tourism industries fell into the micro (0-9) employment band, a slightly lower proportion than that for UK registered businesses overall (89.1%).

Size of businesses by annual turnover in the tourism industries

In March 2025, 66.9% of businesses in the tourism industries had a turnover of less than £250,000, a slightly higher proportion than that for UK registered businesses overall (65.3%).

Regional distribution of business sites in the tourism industries

In March 2025, there were 407,125 business sites in the tourism industries, representing 12.8% of the 3,180,620 UK registered business sites overall. 20.0% of business sites in tourism industries were in London, a slightly higher proportion than that for UK registered business sites overall (18.8%). 

3. About the data

DCMS Sector Economic Estimates for Business Demographics are accredited official statistics. Accredited official statistics are called National Statistics in the Statistics and Registration Service Act 2007. These official statistics were independently reviewed by the Office for Statistics Regulation in June 2019. They comply with the standards of trustworthiness, quality and value in the Code of Practice for Statistics and should be labelled ‘accredited official statistics’.

When we reference a national total or UK businesses in general in this release, this refers to all businesses registered with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) for Value Added Tax (VAT) and/or Pay As You Earn (PAYE) in the UK. 

We use a snapshot of the Inter-Departmental Business Register (IDBR) taken annually in March to generate estimates of DCMS sector business demographics. Estimates in this release are not directly comparable to DCMS sector business demographics estimates published by DCMS before 2022 as they were based on a separate data source. 

Further information on the methodology used to produce these economic estimates, along with a glossary of terms, is available in the accompanying technical report. 

4. Further information

DCMS has developed a suite of Economic Estimates to understand the economic impact its sectors have on the UK economy. In combination with other economic indicators, these estimates help build a comprehensive picture of the UK economy, and of the DCMS Sectors’ importance within it. 

The responsible statistician for this release is Wilmah Tawaziwa. For enquiries on this release, please email evidence@dcms.gov.uk.

For general enquiries contact: Department for Culture, Media and Sport, 100 Parliament Street, London, SW1A 2BQ. For media enquiries contact: 020 7211 2210.

DCMS statisticians can also be followed on X via @DCMSInsight.

Our statistical practice is regulated by the Office for Statistics Regulation (OSR). OSR sets the standards of trustworthiness, quality and value in the Code of Practice for Statistics that all producers of official statistics should adhere to. You are welcome to contact us directly with any comments about how we meet these standards. Alternatively, you can contact OSR by emailing regulation@statistics.gov.uk or via the OSR website.