A big share of this 74.7% increase in contemporary circus performances comes from the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, which in 2013 had an unusual amount of (mostly international) circus activity. In 2012 there were 62 performances in Edinburgh; in 2013 that number rose to 253.

Another notable factor in this increase is NoFit State Circus, who in 2013 toured their show Bianco heavily alongside new production Noodles. Between these two pieces NFS gave 128 performances – 18.4% of all performances, and 43% of all performances by UK companies.

Performances are considered international if the presenting company is based primarily outside the UK. Note that showcase and scratch events (such as Circus Bites at the Albany, or Lab:time at Jacksons Lane) are not included in the data.

England is split here into the English Government Office Network Regions (used by the Arts Council until July 2013 when they reformed and consolidated some of the regions). Scotland and Wales aren't divided into units as the activity is more localised and as the arts councils don't have the same kind of regional departments. Northern Ireland isn't represented in either the 2012 or 2013 data sets.

London drops its overall percentage this year because of increased activity at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, but remains dominant in England where it accounts for 61.7% of all performances.

While the data indicates that activity has decreased in the South West it's in fact the region that's seen the most growth and development. In 2012 the number of performances was boosted by NoFit State's long run at the Eden Project with Bianco. In 2013 there's been a more diverse range of activity, driven particularly by the increased programming at St Paul's Church in Bristol.

A production is considered returning if it was performed in the UK in 2012; the rest are counted as new.

A venue is considered returning if it programmed at least one contemporary circus production during 2012; the rest are counted as new.