According to ONS statistics, Aberdeen is leading the country in the list of UK cities with the fastest small business growth (2023 vs. 2024).
Data analysed by the finance research info site BusinessFinancing.co.uk shows that Aberdeen gained 145 new small businesses in 2024 (a +1.95% increase) – the highest growth rate for any city in the UK.
Aberdeen is home to the UK’s favourite local business, according to a national poll, and was recently ranked as the best Scottish city to work for a small or medium-sized enterprise (SME).
“Small businesses thrive here, and Aberdeen has long held the status of being the best place to start an SME due to great start-up support and the highest five-year plus survival rates in the country,” said Russell Borthwick, Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce chief executive.
BusinessFinancing.co.uk analysed ONS data for every local authority and city to calculate the percentage change in each area based on the count of small businesses reported in 2024 compared to the figure reported in 2023.
