Businesses in Scotland: 2025
Information on the number of businesses operating in Scotland.
Local Authority Areas (registered businesses only)
In the year to March 2025, the business stock increased in more than half (18) of Scotland’s local authority areas. The registered business stock rose the most in City of Edinburgh (+390 businesses) and Glasgow City (+340 businesses). Eleven local authority areas saw a decrease in the registered business stock. Aberdeen City had the largest decrease (-180 businesses) followed by Aberdeenshire (-135 businesses).
The share of private sector employment in Abroad-owned businesses varied by local authority area. For example, 35.3% of Falkirk’s employment was in Abroad-owned businesses. In comparison, 8.3% of the East Renfrewshire’s employment was in Abroad-owned businesses.
The share of employment in Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) also varied by local authority area. SMEs accounted for a much larger share of employment in the more rural local authority areas. As at March 2025, SMEs accounted for 81.3% of private sector employment in the Orkney Islands. This compares to 36.8% in Glasgow City.
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