According to new research from BDO, the number of UK mid-sized businesses at risk of becoming a ‘zombie’ company has risen. In the last 12 months, 15.9% of mid-sized businesses have been deemed to be at risk of being so-called ‘zombie’ companies — an increase of 3.5% compared to the previous year’s figures. The BDO tracker found that very few sectors have been able to buck the trend, with all but two showing a notable increase in the number of ‘at risk’ businesses. Real estate has the highest number of ‘at risk’ companies, with 25.1% exhibiting signs of a zombie business — an increase of 10.1% compared to the prior year. Leisure & hospitality has dropped to second place, with 23.4% of businesses considered at risk. Mining and quarrying is the biggest riser in third place, with the percentage of ‘at risk’ firms in the sector increasing by 11.9% to 20.7%. To read BDO’s news release, go to https://www.bdo.co.uk/en-gb/news/2025/sharp-increase-in-zombie-companies-in-uk-mid-market.