Below is an overview of UK Manufacturing Statistics compiled by The Manufacturer from a variety of leading sources, including government agencies, industry bodies and other relevant organisations.
The UK was home to 5.5 million small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) – defined as those with fewer than 250 employees – in 2023, which represented 99.9% of all businesses., according to a House of Commons Library Research Briefing published in May 2024.
Moreover, of the 269,000 UK manufacturing organisations in 2023, over 250,000 were SMEs (90% of the total).
It is easy, therefore, to understand why SME businesses are often referred to not just as “the lifeblood of the UK economy” but “the lifeblood of UK manufacturing” too.
Despite those 269,000 manufacturiung organisations accounting for just 5% of the total number of UK businesses, they account for 9% of employment and 14% of turnover—highlighting that most are punching well above their weight in terms of contribution. In other words, manufacturing’s contribution to the country’s prosperity is significant, touching areas from delivering the tools and solutions that make it possible for us to defend our nation, to the innovations that are driving positive change in the face of existential threats like global warming.
However, the UK manufacturing sector has witnessed a decline since its heyday in the 1970s, when it contributed 25% of UK GDP.
Nevertheless, the UK is currently the 11th largest manufacturing nation in the world and contributed £220bn in output to the UK economy in 2024, according to figures published by Make UK in September 2025.
The bottom line is manufacturing matters and with the right policies in place and an environment that is conducive to growth, our manufacturing industry has the potential to thrive once more. And as you’ll see from our compilation of UK manufacturing statistics below, the sector’s contribution remains very significant.
In addition to the information below, check out our UK Manufacturing PMI archive for a month-by-month overview of the UK manufacturing sector. In addition, view the statistics for the US manufacturing sector.
UK Manufacturing Statistics, according to Make UK’s latest figures (September 2025):
- UK is 11th largest manufacturing nation in the world
- Sector contributed $279bn in output to the economy in 2025
- Employs 2.6 million people – earning an average of £41,220 (8% higher than the UK average)
- Accounts for 42% of total exports
- Accounts for 48% of all UK business R&D
- Provides £44.1bn (17%) of total UK business investment
Source: Make UK, Executive Survey 2026
Check out the latest industry research from The Manufacturer
2025 Industrial Agility Assessment
HSO’s 2025 Industrial Agility Assessment, produced in partnership with The Manufacturer, reveals that only 45% of manufacturers now describe themselves as highly agile, the lowest level in five years. Amid rising costs, fragile supply chains and digital growing pains, the sector is shifting from reinvention to resilience.
Mind the Gap: Closing the productivity divide in UK manufacturing
Productivity remains one of the most contested and scrutinised measures of performance in UK manufacturing. However, our research in partnership with Barclays reveals that 56% of manufacturers believe national productivity is in decline. Leaders stressed that the UK’s manufacturing potential remains strong, but the sector must act decisively with the right strategic focus.
Upcoming events from The Manufacturer:
Smart Manufacturing Week on 3-4 June, is the UK’s largest annual festival of manufacturing and engineering. SMW brings together a powerful lineup of events, including Smart Factory Expo, Maintec, Drives & Controls and Design + Engineering Expo.
Smart Manufacturing Week includes:
