Businesses in Scotland: 2025
Information on the number of businesses operating in Scotland.
Industry Sector
As at March 2025, the largest industry sectors were ‘Construction’ and 'Professional, Scientific & Technical Activities'. These sectors had 53,495 businesses and 47,185 businesses respectively. The next largest industry sector was ‘Wholesale/Retail’, with 38,700 businesses. These three sectors accounted for 36.3% of all private sector businesses in Scotland.
These three sectors were also the largest for private sector registered businesses. As at March 2025, ‘Professional, Scientific & Technical Activities’ had 24,995 registered businesses. ‘Wholesale/Retail’ had 24,925 registered businesses and ‘Construction’ had 22,930.
The number of registered businesses increased by 950 businesses (+0.5%) between March 2024 and March 2025. This increase was reflected in more than half (11) of all industry sectors. The largest change in the number of registered businesses was seen in the ‘Construction’ industry sector. This sector saw an increase of 435 businesses (+1.9%).
Figure 4: As at March 2025, the largest industry sector was 'Professional, scientific and technical activities'. This had 24,995 registered businesses.
Number of registered private sector businesses, Scotland, by industry sector, as at March 2024 and as at March 2025.
Source: Businesses in Scotland 2025 from the Scottish Government. For Figure 4 data, see table 1.
Contact
For enquiries about this publication please contact:
Marina Curran
Business & Innovation Statistics
Office of the Chief Economic Adviser
e-mail: industrystatistics@gov.scot
For general enquiries about Scottish Government statistics please contact:
Office of the Chief Statistician
e-mail: statistics.enquiries@gov.scot