There are 2,138 active companies in the research and experimental development on social sciences and humanities sector in the UK (SIC code 72200). This sector falls under Section M — Professional, scientific and technical activities — of the UK Standard Industrial Classification. The sector has a relatively low 8.9% dissolution rate — 2,138 of 2,523 registrations remain active. The sector is experiencing rapid growth, with 276.3% of active businesses incorporated since 2020 — indicating strong recent demand. 105% of companies were formed after 2010, marking this as a sector with predominantly recent entrants. The average company age in this sector is 6.4 years. The sector is heavily concentrated in London, which accounts for 33% of all companies. Companies in this sector hold 368 government contracts valued at £261.2M. The sector's longest-standing company was incorporated in 1879.
Source: Companies House register via UVAGATRON, September 2026
A rapidly growing sector with 276.3% of active companies formed since 2020.
The research and experimental development on social sciences and humanities sector has a <Link href="/glossary/company-dissolution">8.9% dissolution rate</Link>. The average active company in this sector is 6.4 years old. Geographic concentration: 33% in LONDON.
Companies in the research and experimental development on social sciences and humanities sector have been awarded 368 government contracts worth £261.2M in total.
There are 2,138 active companies classified under SIC code 72200 (Research and experimental development on social sciences and humanities) in the UK, out of 2,523 total registered.
SIC code 72200 stands for "Research and experimental development on social sciences and humanities". It belongs to Section M — Professional, scientific and technical activities of the UK Standard Industrial Classification.
The largest concentrations are in LONDON (716), CAMBRIDGE (42), MANCHESTER (30).
The average active research and experimental development on social sciences and humanities company in the UK is 6.4 years old, with the oldest registration dating back to 1879.
Our database contains 13,701 data signals across 11 categories for active research and experimental development on social sciences and humanities companies. The largest category is Governance with 6,463 signals from 6 government sources.
5.9M companies, 50M+ signals from 53 government sources. Risk scores, director networks, entity analysis.