Statistics

Small business statistics 2026

63 figures on small businesses in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, the European Union, India, Australia and New Zealand, every one from a government statistics office, ministry, central bank or regulator. Each is quoted as its publisher states it, with the source beside it and the period it describes: many figures published in 2026 describe 2022, 2023 or 2024.

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Every figure here is an official statistic, quoted as its publisher states it, with the source linked beside it and the period it describes. Nothing is estimated, rounded or worked out by us.

Twelve figures worth knowing, each from an official source

36,207,130 small businesses in the United States, 99.9% of all firms, in 2022 data published in February 2026: SBA Office of Advocacy, Frequently Asked Questions About Small Business 2026.
45.9% of US private-sector employees work for small businesses, 62.3 million workers: SBA Office of Advocacy, Frequently Asked Questions About Small Business 2026.
5.7 million private sector businesses in the UK at the start of 2025, 99.85% of them small or medium-sized: Department for Business and Trade, Business population estimates 2025.
34 million enterprises active in the EU in 2024, 99.8% of them small or medium-sized, employing 64% of the business economy's workforce: Eurostat, Structural business statistics overview.
10,02,72,745 MSME registrations in India on Udyam and the Udyam Assist Platform, as on 2 November 2026: Ministry of MSME, MSME Dashboard.
31.1% of India's GDP comes from MSMEs (2023-24), and around 48.58% of its exports (2024-25): Ministry of Finance, Economic Survey 2025-26.
2,814,778 actively trading businesses in Australia at 30 June 2026: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Counts of Australian Businesses, July 2022 to June 2026.
38.4% of UK businesses born in 2019 were still active five years later: Office for National Statistics, Business demography, UK: 2024.
47.2% of US private-sector establishments opened in the year ended March 2021 were still operating five years later: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Business Employment Dynamics, table 7.
63% of UK SME employers that gave trade credit called late payment a problem in 2025: Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, Longitudinal Small Business Survey 2025.
47% of EU SMEs had problems with late payment from private entities in April to September 2025: European Commission, SAFE Analytical Report 2025.
69.8% of small business invoices in Australia were paid within 30 days in July to December 2025: Payment Times Reporting Regulator, Regulator's update, August 2026.

United States: 36,207,130 small businesses, 99.9% of all firms

Figure	Period	Source
There are 36,207,130 small businesses (independent, with fewer than 500 employees), 99.9% of all firms	2022 data, published February 2026	SBA Office of Advocacy, Frequently Asked Questions About Small Business 2026
Small businesses employ 45.9% of private-sector employees: 62.3 million workers	Published February 2026	SBA Office of Advocacy, Frequently Asked Questions About Small Business 2026
Small businesses created 61% of net new jobs, 20.7 million against 13.2 million at large businesses	January 1995 to December 2024	SBA Office of Advocacy, Frequently Asked Questions About Small Business 2026
78.9% of private-sector establishments of every size that opened in the year ended March 2025 were still operating a year later	Measured March 2026	US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Business Employment Dynamics, table 7
47.2% of private-sector establishments that opened in the year ended March 2021 were still operating five years later	Measured March 2026	US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Business Employment Dynamics, table 7
Small and medium-sized exporters accounted for $581 billion of known goods export value; large exporters for over 67% ($1,232 billion)	2024, published 5 May 2026	US Census Bureau, A Profile of U.S. Importing and Exporting Companies, 2023-2024
60% of small employer firms applied for financing in the previous 12 months; 38% for a loan, line of credit or merchant cash advance	Surveyed September to November 2025	Federal Reserve Banks, Small Business Credit Survey, 2026 Report on Employer Firms
42% of applicants received the full amount of financing they sought, 36% some or most, and 22% none	Surveyed September to November 2025	Federal Reserve Banks, Small Business Credit Survey, 2026 Report on Employer Firms
50% of small employer firms named uneven cash flow, which includes collecting on receivables, as a financial challenge	Previous 12 months, surveyed in 2025	Federal Reserve Banks, Small Business Credit Survey, 2026 Report on Employer Firms
46% of small employer firms said the business or its employees use AI; another 15% planned to within 12 months	Surveyed September to November 2025	Federal Reserve Banks, Small Business Credit Survey, 2026 Report on Employer Firms

Canada: 98.2% of employer businesses are small

Figure	Period	Source
1.10 million employer businesses: 98.2% (1.08 million) small, 1.5% (16,953) medium-sized and 0.3% (3,380) large	December 2024, published January 2026	Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, Key Small Business Statistics 2025
Small businesses employed 5.8 million people, 46.6% of the private labour force; SMEs together employed 63.6% (8.0 million)	2024	Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, Key Small Business Statistics 2025
Small businesses contributed 33.2% of private-sector GDP, medium-sized businesses 14.0%	2022	Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, Key Small Business Statistics 2025
On average 105,001 small businesses were created and 93,240 exited each year	2018 to 2022	Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, Key Small Business Statistics 2025
94.8% of new businesses with 1 to 99 employees were still operating after one year, and 68.0% after five	Businesses created 2001 to 2022	Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, Key Small Business Statistics 2025
SMEs accounted for 37.9% of Canada's $712.8 billion goods exports, and 73.3% of the 48,036 enterprises that exported goods	2024	Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, Key Small Business Statistics 2025
1.37 million employer businesses and 3.78 million non-employer businesses with annual revenue over $30,000, counting each location separately	June 2026, published 14 August 2026	Statistics Canada, Canadian business counts, June 2026
The business closure rate and the opening rate were both 5.0%	February 2026, published 26 May 2026	Statistics Canada, Monthly estimates of business openings and closures
49.3% of SMEs requested external financing and 25.7% debt financing; 88.2% had their largest debt request fully or partially approved	2023, published February 2025	Statistics Canada, Survey on Financing and Growth of Small and Medium Enterprises, 2023
19.2% of businesses used AI to produce goods or deliver services, and 19.9% of those with 1 to 4 employees	Previous 12 months, surveyed April to May 2026	Statistics Canada, Artificial intelligence use by businesses, second quarter of 2026

United Kingdom: 5.7 million private sector businesses, 99.85% small or medium

Figure	Period	Source
An estimated 5.7 million private sector businesses	Start of 2025, published 2 October 2025	Department for Business and Trade, Business population estimates 2025
SMEs made up 99.85% of the business population	Start of 2025	Department for Business and Trade, Business population estimates 2025
SMEs employed 16.9 million people, 60% of the total, with turnover of £2.8 trillion, 51%	Start of 2025	Department for Business and Trade, Business population estimates 2025
1.4 million businesses (25%) had employees; 4.3 million (75%) employed no one besides the owners	Start of 2025	Department for Business and Trade, Business population estimates 2025
317,000 business births, a birth rate of 11.1%	2024, published 20 November 2025	Office for National Statistics, Business demography, UK: 2024
Business deaths fell from 310,000 to 280,000, a death rate of 9.8%, the lowest since 2016	2024	Office for National Statistics, Business demography, UK: 2024
38.4% of businesses born in 2019 were still active five years later	Born 2019, measured 2024	Office for National Statistics, Business demography, UK: 2024
Late payment was a problem for 63% of SME employers that gave trade credit, 28% of all SME employers	2025 survey, published 15 October 2026	Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, Longitudinal Small Business Survey 2025
15% of SME employers had sought external finance in the previous 12 months	2025 survey	Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, Longitudinal Small Business Survey 2025
18% of SME employers exported goods or services in the last year	2025 survey	Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, Longitudinal Small Business Survey 2025
34% of SME employers that use any technology or web-based software use AI	2025 survey	Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, Longitudinal Small Business Survey 2025
Of SME employers liable to file self-assessment returns, 69% used record-keeping software, 57% paper records and 43% spreadsheets	2025 survey	Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, Longitudinal Small Business Survey 2025
Large businesses paid their suppliers in 32 days on average, down from 35 days in 2018, and paid 15% of invoices late	2025, published 14 July 2026	Department for Business and Trade, Large businesses' payment practices and performance statistics 2025
More than 436,000 sole traders and landlords sent their first Making Tax Digital quarterly update; over 570,000 had signed up	First quarter of 2026-27, published 12 August 2026	HM Revenue & Customs, news release

European Union: 34 million enterprises, 99.8% small or medium

Figure	Period	Source
34 million enterprises were active, employing 164.5 million people; 99.8% were SMEs, employing 64% of the business economy's workforce	2024, published September 2026	Eurostat, Structural business statistics overview
SMEs generated 50.9% of the value added in the business economy	2024	Eurostat, Structural business statistics overview
The enterprise birth rate was 10.4% and the preliminary death rate 9.2%	2024, published October 2026	Eurostat, Business demography statistics
Seasonally adjusted bankruptcy declarations rose 5.7% on the previous quarter, the highest level since the first quarter of 2019	Second quarter of 2026, published 17 August 2026	Eurostat, Quarterly registrations of new businesses and declarations of bankruptcies
47% of SMEs had problems with late payment from private entities: 14% regularly and 33% occasionally	April to September 2025, published January 2026	European Commission, Survey on the access to finance of enterprises, Analytical Report 2025
18% of euro-area SMEs applied for bank loans, against 29% of large firms	Third quarter of 2026, published 26 October 2026	European Central Bank, Survey on the Access to Finance of Enterprises, third quarter of 2026
SMEs were 97.1% of enterprises exporting goods within the EU and generated 39.4% of that export value	2024	Eurostat, International trade in goods by enterprise characteristics
17% of small enterprises used AI, against 30.36% of medium-sized and 55.03% of large ones	2025, enterprises with 10 or more employees	Eurostat, Use of artificial intelligence in enterprises
69% of small enterprises reached at least basic digital intensity, against 87% of medium-sized and 96% of large ones	2025	Eurostat, Towards Digital Decade targets for Europe

India: 10,02,72,745 MSME registrations, and 31.1% of GDP

Figure	Period	Source
10,02,72,745 MSME registrations: 5,54,50,679 on Udyam and 4,48,22,066 on the Udyam Assist Platform	As on 2 November 2026	Ministry of MSME, MSME Dashboard
Of those registrations, 9,96,84,957 are micro, 5,45,731 small and 42,057 medium enterprises	As on 2 November 2026	Ministry of MSME, MSME Dashboard
Registered MSMEs report employment of 44,40,38,553 people	As on 2 November 2026	Ministry of MSME, MSME Dashboard
MSMEs account for 31.1% of GDP and about 35.4% of manufacturing	2023-24, published January 2026	Ministry of Finance, Economic Survey 2025-26
MSMEs account for around 48.58% of exports	2024-25	Ministry of Finance, Economic Survey 2025-26
Micro and small enterprises filed 2,56,892 delayed-payment applications on MSME Samadhaan, with claims of ₹55,244.29 crore; 58,148 were disposed of	To June 2026, published 26 June 2026	Press Information Bureau, From Enterprise to Empowerment: The MSME Story
Scheduled commercial banks' credit outstanding to MSMEs was ₹36.79 lakh crore, growing at around 15% a year over five financial years	31 December 2025, published 22 June 2026	Reserve Bank of India, Governor's remarks for International MSME Day 2026
Invoices discounted through TReDS rose from ₹40,000 crore in 2022-23 to ₹3.47 lakh crore in 2025-26	Published 11 August 2026	Press Information Bureau, The MSMED (Amendment) Bill, 2026

Australia: 2,814,778 actively trading businesses

Figure	Period	Source
2,814,778 actively trading businesses, 996,203 of them employing	30 June 2026, published 18 August 2026	Australian Bureau of Statistics, Counts of Australian Businesses, July 2022 to June 2026
460,461 business entries, a 16.9% entry rate, and 375,331 exits, a 13.8% exit rate	2025-26	Australian Bureau of Statistics, Counts of Australian Businesses, July 2022 to June 2026
49.2% of businesses that entered in 2022-23 were still operating in June 2026	Entered 2022-23, measured June 2026	Australian Bureau of Statistics, data cube 8165DC01, table 16
97.3% of businesses were small (0 to 19 employees): 2,656,469 businesses	June 2025, published August 2025	Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Number of small businesses in Australia
Small businesses accounted for 32% of GDP and employed 39% of the private-sector workforce	2023-24, published January 2026	Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, 2026-27 Pre-Budget Submission
12% of businesses used artificial intelligence, against 1% in 2021-22; among innovation-active small businesses, 19%	2024-25, published 25 June 2026	Australian Bureau of Statistics, Characteristics of Australian Business 2024-25
69.8% of small business invoices were paid within 30 days; reaching 95% of them took 55 days	1 July to 31 December 2025, published August 2026	Payment Times Reporting Regulator, Regulator's update, August 2026
Loans to small and medium businesses account for around half of total business credit	2025, published 23 October 2025	Reserve Bank of Australia, Small Business Economic and Financial Conditions

New Zealand: 620,150 enterprises, 74% with no paid employees

Figure	Period	Source
620,150 enterprises, 0.2% more than a year before	February 2026, provisional, published 30 October 2026	Stats NZ, New Zealand business demography statistics: At February 2026
74% of enterprises had no paid employees	February 2026	Stats NZ, New Zealand business demography statistics: At February 2026
The 2,810 enterprises with 100 or more employees employed 1,204,500 people, 49% of all employees	February 2026	Stats NZ, New Zealand business demography statistics: At February 2026
28% of enterprises born in 2016 were still operating	Born 2016, measured February 2026	Stats NZ, business demography data, table 12

Each country counts small businesses its own way

Figures from two countries are rarely measuring the same thing. Before setting one beside another, check what each counts:

Country	What its figures count	Source
United States	Small business: independent, with fewer than 500 employees	SBA Office of Advocacy, Frequently Asked Questions About Small Business 2026
Canada	Small: 1 to 99 employees; medium: 100 to 499	Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, Key Small Business Statistics 2025
United Kingdom	SME: 0 to 249 employees	Department for Business and Trade, Business population estimates 2025
European Union	SME: fewer than 250 persons employed	Eurostat, Structural business statistics overview
India	Micro, small and medium enterprises as registered on Udyam	Ministry of MSME, MSME Dashboard
Australia	Small business: 0 to 19 employees	Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Number of small businesses in Australia
New Zealand	Economically significant enterprises that produce goods and services in New Zealand	Stats NZ, New Zealand business demography statistics: At February 2026

Survival rates differ in the same way: the US figures follow establishments, the UK's and New Zealand's enterprises, and Canada's average many years of new businesses together.

This edition was checked on 2 November 2026, and is renewed every year

Every figure was read on its source on 2 November 2026. The page is renewed each year, and sooner when a source publishes again: the UK's business population estimates for 2026 are due on 5 November 2026, and its business demography for 2025 on 19 November 2026. India's dashboard figures change daily and are given as on the day they were read.

To quote a figure, cite its source, which is linked beside it, and the period it describes.

Questions these figures answer

How many small businesses are there in the US?

36,207,130, which is 99.9% of all US firms, by the SBA Office of Advocacy's February 2026 count of 2022 Census data.

How many businesses are there in the UK?

An estimated 5.7 million private sector businesses at the start of 2025, 99.85% of them small or medium-sized, by the Department for Business and Trade.

How many MSMEs are there in India?

The Ministry of MSME's dashboard showed 10,02,72,745 registrations on Udyam and the Udyam Assist Platform on 2 November 2026; these are registrations, not a census.

How many businesses are there in Australia?

2,814,778 actively trading businesses at 30 June 2026, 996,203 of them employing, by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

What share of new businesses survive five years?

38.4% of UK businesses born in 2019 were still active in 2024 (ONS), and 47.2% of US establishments opened in the year ended March 2021 were still operating in March 2026 (BLS); the two count different things.

How common is late payment for small businesses?

63% of UK SME employers that give trade credit called it a problem in 2025 (Longitudinal Small Business Survey), and 47% of EU SMEs had late-payment problems with private customers in April to September 2025 (European Commission).

What share of jobs do small businesses provide?

45.9% of US private-sector employees (SBA), 46.6% of Canada's private labour force (ISED) and, counting medium-sized firms too, 60% of UK private-sector employment (DBT) and 64% of the EU business economy's workforce (Eurostat).

How many small businesses use AI?

46% of US small employer firms said they or their staff use AI (Federal Reserve Banks, 2025 survey), 19.2% of Canadian businesses (Statistics Canada, 2026) and 17% of small EU enterprises with 10 or more employees (Eurostat, 2025); each survey asks a different question.

Why do figures published in 2026 describe earlier years?

Official counts take time to compile: the SBA's 2026 count uses 2022 Census data, and the EU's figures published in 2026 describe 2024.

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