The UK real estate sector was the top performer for business creation in Q4 2025, according to research from Cynergy Bank.

During 2025, real estate had the highest ratio of start-ups compared to closures across all industries, with 13,885 new businesses launched, the highest annual total since the dataset began in 2017.

After accounting for closures, the sector added a net 4,400 new businesses in 2025, which Cynergy said was also the strongest result on record and a clear sign of sustained confidence across the property industry.

Real estate has now recorded growth in every single quarter since at least 2017, which makes it the most consistently expanding sector tracked by the index.

Over the past eight years, property has delivered a net gain of around 29,000 firms, underlining its long-term resilience despite economic volatility, higher interest rates and regulatory change.

The sector’s standout performance in 2025 is likely to reflect strengthening conditions across both residential and commercial markets, according to Cynergy.

The bank noted that housing market activity has picked up as affordability stabilises and price growth returns in some regions, supporting demand for agency services.

Meanwhile, commercial real estate has seen renewed investment and lending activity across offices, retail, industrial and operational sectors, creating opportunities for leasing, management and advisory firms.

Nick Fahy, chief executive of Cynergy Bank, said: “Real estate continues to stand apart from the rest of the economy. The sector has grown every quarter for eight consecutive years and delivered record levels of new business creation in 2025.

“That consistency reflects the depth of demand for property across the UK and the adaptability of businesses operating in the sector, even against a challenging economic backdrop.”