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Micro and small businesses make up 99% of enterprises in the European Union

In 2022, the European Union (EU) had 32.3 million enterprises, employing 160 million persons. Of that total, 99% were micro and small enterprises employing up to 49 persons.

Micro and small enterprises employed 77.5 million persons, i.e. almost half (48%) of the total number of all persons employed in enterprises.

The 240 000 medium-sized enterprises (50-249 persons employed) represented 0.8% of all enterprises accounting for15% of the employment and 18% of the turnover.

Even though large enterprises (more than 249 persons employed) represented only 0.2% of the total number of enterprises, they employed more than a third of the business labour force (37%) and generated more than half (51%) of the turnover.

Source: 
Eurostat, 25 October 2024