Companies in Edinburgh

United Kingdom|38.6% formed since 2020|6% inactive|Data updated 10 Sept 2026
56,997
Active

56,997 active companies are currently registered in Edinburgh, a major UK business hub. Out of 65,147 companies ever registered here, 3,879 are no longer active — a 87% survival rate. Business formation remains steady, with 38.6% of current companies established since 2020. A wave of registrations in the 2010s accounts for 50% of active companies, pointing to a decade of strong entrepreneurial activity. The most common industry sector is other, with 23,348 companies. The area hosts 1,062 large enterprises, 902 small firms. Edinburgh is home to 688 FCA-regulated firms and 320 registered charities. Companies here hold 754 government contracts worth £2.2B in total. The average company age is 9.9 years. The earliest company registration in Edinburgh dates back to 1871.

Source: Companies House register via UVAGATRON, September 2026

56,997
Active Companies
65,147
Total Registered
1871
Oldest Company
38.6%
Growth (2020s)

One of the UK's largest business hubs, home to a wide range of industries and company sizes.

Incorporation by Decade
11%
44%
41%
Pre-1990: 1,061
1990s: 1,845
2000s: 6,826
2010s: 28,424
2020s: 26,397

Data Signals

Governance
133,4344 src
Financial
62,72511 src
Risk
32,3379 src
Compliance
26,60319 src
innovation
2,5752 src
Trade
2,2172 src
quality
1,9895 src
ESG
1,3736 src
growth
8582 src
corporate_structure
6091 src
operational
1281 src
regulatory
281 src

Business Landscape

The average active company in Edinburgh is 9.9 years old. There are 688 <Link href="/glossary/fca-financial-conduct-authority">FCA-regulated firms</Link> in the area. 320 registered charities operate locally.

9.9 yrs
Avg company age
688
FCA regulated
320
Charities

Company Size Breakdown

Small: 902 (45%)Medium: 28 (1%)Large: 1,062 (53%)

Government Investment

Companies in Edinburgh have been awarded 754 government contracts with a combined value of £2158.0M. See the Top Government Contractors report.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many companies are registered in Edinburgh?

There are 56,997 active companies registered in Edinburgh, out of 65,147 total. 3,879 (6%) are no longer active.

What are the main industries in Edinburgh?

The top industries in Edinburgh include Other (23,348 companies), Other letting and operating of own or leased real estate (1,931 companies), Buying and selling of own real estate (1,621 companies).

How fast is Edinburgh growing as a business hub?

38.6% of currently active companies in Edinburgh were incorporated since 2020, indicating moderate recent growth.

What data signals are available for companies in Edinburgh?

Our database contains 264,876 data signals across 12 categories for active companies in Edinburgh. The largest category is Governance with 133,434 signals from 4 sources.

When was the first company registered in Edinburgh?

The oldest company registration in Edinburgh dates back to 1871, spanning over 155 years of business history.

Data is updated daily from official UK government sources including Companies House. Information is provided for reference only.