Small and medium-sized enterprises
19 Feabhra 2021

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are defined by the European Commission as having less than 250 employees. SMEs are the backbone of Europe's economy. They represent 99% of all businesses in the EU.Read more
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are defined by the European Commission as having less than 250 employees. SMEs are the backbone of Europe's economy. They represent 99% of all businesses in the EU. In the past five years, they have created around 85% of new jobs and provided two-thirds of the total private sector employment in the EU. The European Commission considers SMEs and entrepreneurship as key to ensuring economic growth, innovation, job creation, and social integration in the EU. The European Commission policy in relation to SMEs supports start-ups and scale-ups in particular. Internationalisation beyond the EU increases SMEs' performance, enhances competitiveness, and reinforces sustainable growth.
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EU context
TopEurofound’s work on small and medium-sized enterprises links in with the Commission’s 2019–2024 priority on promoting our European way of life.
- About Eurofound: EU priorities: Working for a strong social Europe
- European Commission: Promoting our European way of life
Publications & data
TopThe sections below provide access to a range of publications, data and ongoing work on this topic.
- Publications (80)
- Ongoing work (3)
Publications
Eurofound publications come in a variety of formats, including reports, policy briefs, blogs, articles and presentations.
Design for sustainable development support systems for small and medium-sized enterprises
Publication 4 Feabhra 2009Industrial relations in the EU, Japan, US and other global economies, 2005–2006
Publication 11 Nollaig 2007Financial participation for small and medium-sized enterprises: Barriers and potential solutions (report)
Publication 1 Meán Fómhair 2004Employment relations in micro and small enterprises - Literature review: Japan
Publication 20 Nollaig 2002Ongoing work
Research continues in this topic on a variety of themes, which are outlined below with links to forthcoming titles.