Introduction

Small Business Statistics: Small businesses are often seen as the backbone of the economy, and rightly so. They bring fresh ideas to the market and create jobs for people who may not have opportunities in larger companies. From one-person businesses to significant job creators, small businesses are crucial to the economy.

However, with 82% failing because of cash flow problems and only 50% making it to the five-year mark, it’s clear that achieving success is not easy. Here are some Small Business Statistics that can help entrepreneurs understand the market better and position their products or services for success.

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

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.

This dataset provides comprehensive statistics and insights on the impact of business planning, funding success rates, software market growth, exit strategies, and gender-based disparities in entrepreneurship. It explores how strategic business plans influence funding, growth, and operational success, supported by key metrics and global trends projected through 2032.

OECD statistics contact: stat.contact@oecd.org

The OECD Secretariat collects a wide range of statistics on businesses and business activity. The Structural Business Statistics by size class dataset is part of the Structural and Demographic Business Statistics (SDBS) database featuring the harmonised data collection of the OECD Statistics and Data Directorate relating to a number of key variables, such as value added, operating surplus, employment, and the number of business units.

Data are broken down to class (4-digit) level of International Standard of Industrial Classification (ISIC Revision 4), and by enterprise size class based on the number of persons employed.

Data cover OECD member and partner countries, non-OECD countries that are members of the European Statistical System who provide data to Eurostat, as well as countries participating in OECD Regional initiatives.

New York City's "MWBE" program, enacted by the City Council and signed by the Mayor as Local Law 129 of 2005, is designed to promote government contracting opportunities for businesses owned by minorities and women. Our "Emerging Business Enterprise" program, enacted by the City Council and signed by the Mayor as Local Law 12 of 2006, is designed to promote such opportunities for businesses owned by persons who are "socially and economically disadvantaged." Together, the programs establish the following Citywide goals for contracts and subcontracts in amounts under $1 million.

Summary statistics of business dynamism taken from the Longitudinal Business Database (LBD), UK.

Introduction

AI In Business Statistics: In today’s world, global businesses are rapidly transforming with Artificial Intelligence (AI), and as a result, overall operations are becoming easier in almost every industry. From automating regular tasks to enabling smarter decision-making, AI is also helping companies boost efficiency, increase productivity, reduce costs, enhance software development, improve customer experiences, and increase overall output.

This article includes several statistical analyses from different sources that elaborate on the overall AI-enhancing business sectors, along with their advantages and disadvantages.

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

The net job and business growth indicator measures the annual change in both the number of firms and the number of employees between 1978 and 2022. The data is categorized by the size of the firm: those with 1-19 employees, those with between 20 and 499 employees, and those with more than 500 employees.

This data contributes to the big picture of economic conditions in Champaign County. More firms and larger employment numbers are generally positive economic indicators, but any strictly economic indicator should be considered in the context of other factors.

The number of firms and number of employees show very different trends.

Historically, there have been significantly more firms with 1-19 employees than firms in the larger two size categories. The number of firms with 1-19 employees has also been relatively consistent until 2021: there were 95 fewer such firms in 2021 than 1978, and the largest year-to-year change in that 43-year period of analysis was a -3.2% decrease between 1979 and 1980. However, there were 437 fewer such firms in 2022 than 1978. There was a decrease in these firms of 12.5% from 2021 to 2022, the only double-digit year-to-year change and the largest year-to-year change over 44 years.

The larger two size categories have shown an increasing trend over the period of analysis. There were 43 more firms with 20-499 employees in 2022 than 1978, a total increase of 9%. The number of firms with more than 500 employees almost doubled, increasing by 206 firms from 212 in 1978 to 418 in 2022, a total increase of 97.2%.

The trends of employment also vary based on firm size. Firms with 1-19 employees have consistently, and unsurprisingly, accounted for less of the total employment than the larger two categories. Employment in firms with 1-19 employees has also remained relatively consistent over the period of analysis. Employment in firms with more than 500 employees saw an overall trend of growth, interrupted by brief and intermittent decreases, between 1978 and 2022. Employment in the middle category (firms with between 20 and 499 employees) was also greater in 2022 than in 1978.

This data is from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Business Dynamics Statistics Data Tables. This data is at the geographic scale of the Champaign-Urbana Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), which is comprised of Champaign and Piatt Counties, or a larger area than the cities or Champaign County.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau; 2022 Business Dynamics Statistics Data Tables; "BDSFSIZE - Business Dynamics Statistics: Firm Size: 1978-2022"; retrieved 21 October 2024.

Editor’s Choice

• The Global Business Intelligence Market size is expected to be worth around USD 26.5 Billion by 2033, from USD 5.9 Billion in 2023, growing at a CAGR of 16.2% during the forecast period from 2024 to 2033.
• By 2023, over 33% of large-sized businesses will utilize decision intelligence practices.
• The global business intelligence and analytics market is expected to reach $55.48 billion by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 10.1% from 2021 to 2026.
• 94% of organizations rated business intelligence and analytics as either critical or very important to their business success. (Source: Dresner Advisory Services)
• Data-driven organizations are 23 times more likely to acquire customers, 6 times more likely to retain customers, and 19 times more likely to be profitable compared to their peers. (Source: McKinsey)
• About 97.2% of executives reported that their organizations are investing in or planning to invest in big data and AI to drive decision-making. (Source: NewVantage Partners)
• By 2022, 90% of corporate strategies will explicitly mention information as a critical enterprise asset and analytics as an essential competency.

This table contains 2736 series, with data starting from 2001 (not all combinations necessarily have data for all years). This table contains data described by the following dimensions (Not all combinations are available): Geography (1 item: Canada) Business dynamics measure (16 items: Number of active employer businesses in the private sector; Number of entrants; Number of incumbents; Number of exits; ...) North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) (19 items: Private sector; Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting; Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction; Utilities; ...) Firm size (9 items: Private sector; From 0 to less than 100 employees; From 0 to less than 50 employees; Less than 5 employees; ...).

Monthly dataset showing change in sales and jobs recorded by Xero, an online accounting software platform. This dataset is updated on a quarterly basis. These are official statistics in development. Source: Xero.

The Business Dynamics Statistics (BDS) is a public use data set providing annual aggregate measures of establishment openings and closings, firm startups and shutdowns, and job creation and destruction. These measures are available for the entire economy, and by industrial sector, 3-digit and 4-digit NAICS, state, MSA, and county. They are also available by firm and establishment size and age. For more information about the dataset see: https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/bds.html

Introduction

Small Business Statistics: To balance out every country's economy, small businesses are termed the backbone. Small businesses are types of corporations, partnerships, or sole proprietorships that are independently owned companies with fewer employees and lower revenue than large companies. Many small businesses are now utilising the internet and various digital tools to connect with customers, and many of them generate income by selling online.

This article includes several statistical analyses from different sources that will guide you in understanding the importance of small businesses' effectiveness in recent years.

KR: New Businesses Registered data was reported at 96,155.000 Number in 2016. This records an increase from the previous number of 93,768.000 Number for 2015. KR: New Businesses Registered data is updated yearly, averaging 65,110.000 Number from Dec 2006 (Median) to 2016, with 11 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 96,155.000 Number in 2016 and a record low of 50,289.000 Number in 2006. KR: New Businesses Registered data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s South Korea – Table KR.World Bank.WDI: Businesses Registered Statistics. New businesses registered are the number of new limited liability corporations registered in the calendar year.; ; World Bank's Entrepreneurship Survey and database (http://www.doingbusiness.org/data/exploretopics/entrepreneurship).; ; For cross-country comparability, only limited liability corporations that operate in the formal sector are included.

Introduction

Small Business Ownership Statistics: Small businesses stand as the real backbone of the world economy. Even in 2024, they continue to be instrumental in job creation, innovation, and community development. From busy urban centres to remote rural districts, small businesses provide the edge of economic growth and stability.

This article covers some of the latest small business ownership statistics from across the globe, pointing out major trends, challenges, and opportunities.

An in-depth dataset covering business plan statistics in 2025, including success rates, planning impact, and industry insights.