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G&G verified business evidence

Employment in UK SMEs at the start of 2025

UK SMEs employed an estimated 16.9 million people at the start of 2025, equal to 60% of total UK private-sector employment.

16.882 million people

What the evidence means

The underlying estimate is 16.882 million jobs across businesses with 0 to 249 employees. Employment includes working proprietors as defined in the Business Population Estimates methodology.

Official statistics in development.

Original source

Department for Business and Trade

Business population estimates for the UK and regions 2025: statistical release

Table C records SME employment of 16.882 million.
View original evidence

Department for Business and Trade. Business population estimates for the UK and regions 2025: statistical release. 2nd of October, 2025. https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/business-population-estimates-2025/business-population-estimates-for-the-uk-and-regions-2025-statistical-release

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