However, there is some evidence that, in 2024, the number of businesses ceasing trading in the area exceeded the number of new businesses registered, leading to a small net decrease in the business population.

Business births vs deaths

• In 2024, 2,905 new businesses were started in Buckinghamshire, a business birth rate of 9.5% (births as a % of business population in 2024), lower than the national rate of 11.3%. 
• In 2024, 3,445 businesses ceased trading (that is, the count of businesses which existed in 2023 but did not exist in 2024), reflecting a small net decrease in businesses in the area.

Business survival rates

• In positive news, the 1-year survival rate for Buckinghamshire businesses that started in 2023 was 94.1%, above the national rate of 93.4%.  
• The 5-year survival rate for Buckinghamshire businesses that started in 2019 was 43.9%, above the national rate of 38.3%.

This indicates resilience in the local economy, particularly given the challenges new businesses faced during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, low business start-up rates contributed to a modest change in the overall business population in 2024.  

For more information and analysis on business demographies, visit the ONS website.