Analysing the size of the UK impact investing market and who is involved

For the first time in 2021/22, we estimated the size of the UK impact investing market. We will continue to do so every three years in order to track impact investing’s growth, momentum, and changing significance within the overall UK investment market.

The impact investing market is growing

Since the early 2000s, the impact investing market has grown in scale, momentum, and support. With that growth, there has been an increased demand for robust data and market insights.

In 2022, the Global Impact Investing Network estimated the global impact investing market to be US$1.16 trillion. In the UK, Big Society Capital has been sizing the social impact investment market since 2016.

The Impact Investing Institute looks at the size of the broader impact investing market. This includes UK impact investments made outside the UK, for example in Europe or in emerging markets, as well as environmentally-focused UK impact investing in the UK and internationally.

For the first time in 2021/22, we analysed the size of the UK impact investing market. We will continue to do so every three years in order to track impact investing’s growth, momentum, and changing significance within the overall UK investment market.

Findings of our initial market-sizing analysis

  • The UK impact investment market was an estimated £58 billion in 2020.
  • The UK market represents an estimated 3.3-8% of the total global market.
  • Social investors, private equity, venture capital firms, and foundations are the leading impact investors in the market today. Institutional investors appear to be the primary drivers of future growth.
  • Despite rapid market growth, impact investing accounts for less than 1% of total assets under management in the UK investment market. We work to grow that number significantly over the next few years.

Further steps

By evolving a robust methodology and determining the most effective way to obtain data and insights from asset owners, asset managers, and other UK investment market participants, we will continue to provide the most accurate picture of the UK impact investing market.

Project lead

Sarah Teacher



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