Greater Manchester beats national average in company formations per 1,000 people

Our data show that 2023 was a record year in Greater Manchester for company formations. While it couldn’t quite match the strong growth of 7.1% in total companies registered in the county in 2022, it still ended 2023 with 4.9% more than the previous year. 41,222 new businesses were incorporated in 2023 – a record figure – and Greater Manchester also came out ahead of the national average in company formations per 1,000 people: 15.4 against the national average of 14.2. So it’s a strong performance by the area’s entrepreneurs in the face of quite tricky trading conditions including rising costs and interest rates.

Our infographic of 2023 company incorporation activity in Greater Manchester gives further details about companies formed in the county during the year and how it compares with the performance of other counties in England.

If you’d like to start a new company in Greater Manchester, you’ll find our simple online company registration service helpful.