The Annual Museum Survey undertaken by Museum Development England provides insights into the sector’s health as well as the challenges and opportunities it is facing. By benchmarking data generated every year, it has been possible to spotlight past and current trends such as the impact of the pandemic on volunteering and finances. Earlier this year Museum Development England published the Annual Museums Survey five year trends analysis.

Insights generated by the Annual Museum Survey are used by museums to demonstrate their social and economic value, both locally and nationally. Data insights also aid museums in benchmarking their operational activity. In 2025, 692 museums contributed, which is higher than 2024. The results show local authority reliance and support, a positive outlook for many museums, and the wider economic impact on visits, employment, and procurement. 

Victoria Harding, Programme Manager at Museum Development South West (MDSW), said:

“There is much to celebrate in AMS 2025. The museum workforce has shown tenacity and creativity, testing new approaches and developing clear strategies to rebuild visitor and volunteer levels with measurable success. The uptake in project funding is strong: 62% of museums report increased or sustained project investment, enabling recruitment of new capacity, increased or new programming all contributing to increased visitors.  

This progress is welcome but can only go so far. Short-term project funding, while valuable, does not resolve the sector’s structural funding shortfall and cannot reverse the steady erosion of core budgets driven by inflation and other systemic pressures. However, it provides insight into the value of investing in the sector, showing how targeted funding is used to maximise outcomes, drive growth, and deliver positive community outcomes.”

More details here: https://southwestmuseums.org.uk/what-we-do/ams/england-reporting/