Recent Release | 01 Dec 2022
The State of the Nation: The UK Family Business Sector 2021–22

Economic Consulting Team
Oxford Economics


During the pandemic and in its aftermath, the UK family business sector has remained a core part of the UK economy. In this report, we present new insights about the sector and highlight its economic contribution.
The 4.8 million family firms in the UK made up 85.9% of all private sector businesses in 2020. Through their daily operations, they employed 13.9 million workers—51.5% of private sector employment. They also contributed £575 billion in GVA.
This latest report also presents new evidence on the effect of the coronavirus pandemic on family businesses, and how it impacted their operations and performance. It also looks to the future, outlining how family firms are feeling about the post-pandemic economy, and how they are considering issues such as Brexit, energy usage, and technology adoption.
About the team
Our economic consulting team are world leaders in quantitative economic analysis, working with clients around the globe and across sectors to build models, forecast markets and evaluate interventions using state-of-the art techniques. Lead consultants on this project were:

Ian Saxon
Associate Director
+44 (0) 203 910 8064

Ian Saxon
Associate Director
London

Ankur Desai
Economist
+44 (0) 203 910 8151

Private: Ankur Desai
Economist
London
You might be interested in

Post
Inflation – not past the peak and easing will be gradual for France
France has dodged soaring price pressures better than its eurozone peers, but we think its inflation will fall more slowly.
Find Out More
Post
Europe: Nuclear energy has likely peaked, despite a new embrace
The energy crisis has provoked a fundamental rethink of nuclear energy across Europe and many governments are now committing to building new reactors or delaying phaseouts. But we estimate phaseouts will still offset new additions for some years.
Find Out More
Post
Czech Republic: Recession and disinflation will prompt the CNB to pivot in Q2
We think rapidly deteriorating demand and easing commodity prices will prompt the Czech National Bank (CNB) to start cutting rates at the end of Q2.
Find Out More
Post
Climate risks are severe, but a new ‘green economy’ offers a $10.3tr opportunity
The World Economic Forum’s annual risk survey shows that climate inaction makes up the top four of its 10 most severe global risks over the coming decade. On the same day that the WEF findings were released, new analysis was published into the opportunities the world’s transition to a greener economy would represent for businesses and investors prepared to make the changes needed.
Find Out More