These small business statistics will tell you everything you need to know about the growth of business and where it’s going in the future.

The following small business statistics broken down by industry to help you understand the small business landscape better.

This statistic shows the percentage of change in the number of small businesses operating in the United States from 2002 to 2012, broken down by the owner's gender. Between 2007 and 2012, the number of women-owned small businesses increased by **** percent.

In 2021, about **** million small business firms with employees were counted in the United States. That same year, there were around ** million non-employer small businesses.

27% of the entire small business workforce had to be laid off or furloughed in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

About 1.5 million jobs are created in the US every year by small businesses alone. This means that 64% of all job creation comes from small businesses.

A comprehensive dataset covering small business statistics in 2025, including failure rates, growth data, average revenue, number of employees, and market insights.

In the second quarter of 2024, 61 percent of surveyed small business owners indicated that the health of their business was in good shape. A further 24 percent of respondents said the health of their business was about average. At the end of 2019, small businesses in "very good" health peaked at 43 percent. By the end of 2020, this number fell to 25 percent in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to a new study, women started 49% of new businesses in the United States in 2021. This is way up from 28% in 2019.

The dataset exists to observe the entrepreneurial activity of Austin over a long time period. The data comes from the U.S. Census County Business Pattern table and is capturing data at the Travis County level. It contains the cumulative count of firms by employee size and count of firms by employee size by industry. This data can be used to see changes of employer growth by industry; to project where workforce growth could be occurring; or to simply see how many small businesses there are in Austin. View more details and insights related to this data set on the story page: data.austintexas.gov/stories/s/ndb5-si22

Small Business Market size was valued at USD 1901 Billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 3305 Billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 8.6% during the forecast period 2024-2031.

Global Small Business Market Drivers

The market drivers for the Small Business Market can be influenced by various factors. These may include:

Digital Transformation: Small businesses are increasingly adopting digital tools and technologies to streamline operations, enhance customer engagement, and gain a competitive edge. Cloud computing, e-commerce platforms, CRM systems, and digital marketing are among the key technologies that small businesses are leveraging to scale and improve efficiency. This digital shift has been accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which underscored the necessity of having an online presence and digital infrastructure. Access to Capital: Small business financing is becoming more accessible, with the rise of alternative lending platforms, microloans, and crowdfunding. Traditional banks are also adapting by offering more flexible loan products tailored to small businesses. Government initiatives and grants aimed at stimulating economic recovery post-pandemic have provided additional sources of funds, empowering small business growth and expansion. Remote Work and Flexibility: The trend toward remote work has opened new possibilities for small businesses to tap into talent pools beyond their geographic confines. This flexibility not only helps in cutting operational costs related to office space but also attracts a diverse workforce. Hybrid and remote working models have forced small businesses to adopt agile practices and invest in collaboration tools and cybersecurity measures. Consumer Preference for Local and Niche Products: There is a growing consumer trend favoring local, unique, and ethically sourced products. Small businesses have capitalized on this by offering personalized and authentic customer experiences that big corporations can’t easily replicate. Emphasizing local origins and sustainability often resonates well, driving customer loyalty and repeat business. Regulatory Changes: Changes in regulatory landscapes, including tax reforms, labor laws, and trade policies, can significantly impact small businesses. For instance, the recent shifts towards more favorable tax regulations for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) can ease financial burdens and encourage entrepreneurship. Compliance with new standards also drives innovation as small businesses adapt and optimize their operations. Technological Integration and Automation: The integration of AI and automation in small business operations is on the rise. These technologies help in optimizing supply chains, enhancing customer service with chatbots, and driving data-driven decision-making processes. Automation tools that manage inventory, customer relationships, and financial transactions reduce manual workloads and improve efficiency. Economic Recovery and Consumer Spending: The post-pandemic economic recovery has generally boosted consumer confidence and spending, which in turn benefits small businesses. Government stimulus packages and economic incentives have further stimulated spending and investment in the SME sector, leading to growth opportunities and market expansion. E-commerce Growth: The massive shift towards online shopping has opened up new sales channels for small businesses. E-commerce platforms like Shopify, Etsy, and Amazon make it easier for small businesses to reach a global audience. Additionally, advancements in payment gateways, logistics, and delivery services support small businesses in managing and fulfilling online orders seamlessly. Business Support Ecosystems: There is an expanding ecosystem of incubators, accelerators, mentoring programs, and business networks that offer crucial support to small businesses. These platforms provide funding, advocacy, mentorship, and educational resources, creating a robust support system that helps small businesses thrive and scale. Sustainability and Green Practices: Growing awareness and concern for the environment have led small businesses to adopt sustainable and eco-friendly practices. Whether it’s reducing carbon footprints, utilizing renewable energy, or offering green products and services, these practices appeal to environmentally conscious consumers and can lead to cost savings and enhanced brand reputation.

According to a survey from December 2020, approximately ** percent of the surveyed small businesses in India and Vietnam expected to grow in 2021. However, the majority in India hoped to grow strongly while the majority in Vietnam only a little in 2021.

During a April 2022 survey, 21.6 percent of surveyed small businesses in the United States claimed that the COVID-19 pandemic had a large negative effect on business. In comparison, only 1.7 percent of respondents said that the pandemic had a large positive effect on their business.

Small Business Market Outlook 2032

The global small business market size was USD 2,572 Billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 4,985 Billion by 2032, expanding at a CAGR of 8.50% during 2024–2032. The market growth is attributed to the proliferation of small businesses.



Growing number of small businesses are becoming the backbone of global economies, driving innovation and creating employment opportunities. They are not confined to traditional brick-and-mortar establishments and are embracing digital platforms to reach a wider audience. A novel application of small businesses is the rise of micro-consulting, where individuals with specialized knowledge offer their expertise on a project-by-project basis, thereby reducing overhead costs and providing flexible, tailored solutions for clients.



Growing regulatory changes are impacting the small business landscape. The most recent being the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) implemented by the European Union, which applies to all businesses, regardless of size, that handle personal data of EU citizens.



This regulation has significant implications for small businesses, as it necessitates stringent data protection measures. Non-compliance results in hefty fines, thus, it is likely to increase the demand for data security services and impact how small businesses manage customer data.

Impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Small Business Market

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has a considerable impact on the small business market. These enterprises automate routine tasks by integrating AI into their operations, thereby increasing efficiency and reducing operational costs. AI's predictive analytics capabilities enable these businesses to anticipate market trends and customer behavior, facilitating strategic decision-making.



AI-powered customer service tools, such as </span

The Office of Advocacy’s Small Business Profiles are an annual portrait of each state’s small business. They gather the latest federal data into state-by-state snapshots of small business health and economic activity. Limited economic data is also provided for the U.S. territories. This year’s profiles report on state economic growth and employment, income and finance, employer business owner demographics, turnover among establishments with employees, international trade, small business employment by industry and county, and self-employment by county, and small businesses by industry.

In August 2024, a net ** percent of surveyed small business owners in the United States had plans to increase employment in the coming three months. Additionally, around ** percent of said that they had current job openings.

One of the cool things about most small business owners is that they come from all different demographics and backgrounds.

The below table shows a complete breakdown of employer businesses owned by minorities.

Financial overview and grant giving statistics of Illinois Entrepreneurship and Small Business Growth Association

This statistic shows the estimated constant annual growth rate of small-to-medium-sized business (SMB) spending worldwide, between 2016 and 2021, by technology area. Over the forecast period, SMB expenditure on business services is expected to grow at an average rate of *** percent per years. Hardware expenditure will grow the least, at a rate of *** percent per year, perhaps due to the shift towards cloud services and infrastructure.