The 10 regions with the highest business survival rates REVEALED
Posted by: electime 24th April 2025
New research has revealed that over 5.6 million businesses are now active in the UK, setting a new record!
With this in mind, and to help entrepreneurs, business energy experts, Utility Bidder, have revealed the best places to start a business in the UK. As part of their research, they looked into the regions with the highest business survival rates. The study also looked at employment rates, business energy costs and download speeds.
The English regions with the highest business survival rates:
Rank Local authority 5-year business survival rate
1 West Devon 59.0 per cent
2 Rutland 54.8 per cent
3 North Devon 54.2 per cent
4 West Oxfordshire 52.5 per cent
5 Dorset 52.4 per cent
6 North Kesteven 52.1 per cent
7 Broadland 51.8 per cent
8 Exeter 51.7 per cent
9 Melton 51.2 per cent
9 Rochford 51.2 per cent
West Devon has the highest 5-year business survival rates in England, with 59 per cent of businesses started in the region making it past the 5-year mark. The south-west authority also has a high employment rate of 75.4 per cent and is home to big brands such as Ambrosia.
In second place is Rutland, with a 5-year business survival rate of 54.8 per cent. The region also has a GDP of £28,434 per capita and 811.9 office sector properties per 100,000 people.
North Devon completes the top 3, with a 5-year business survival rate of 54.2 per cent. Businesses founded in the region include Norton Group Holdings Ltd and Burts Chips LIMITED.
The study also revealed the following:
• Wyre Forest, in Worcestershire, has the highest employment rate in the country at 88.8 per cent, indicating a strong local economy, while West Devon saw the highest 5-year business survival rate of 59.0 per cent.
• Manchester has the most office properties, with 1,426.1 per 100,000 people, while High Peak, a local authority in the Peak District, has the most train stations per 100,000 people at 15.3 per 100,000.
The full study is available to view here: https://www.utilitybidder.co.uk/blog/uk-business-hotspots/
