Glossary:Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)

From Statistics Explained

Small and medium-sized enterprises are enterprises employing fewer than 250 people. According to European Commission Recommendation 2003/361/EC of 6 May 2003, enterprises are defined with regard to their number of employees, annual turnover, and their independence.

For statistical purposes, small and medium-sized enterprises may be further subdivided into:

• micro enterprises (fewer than 10 employees);
• small enterprises (10 to 49 employees);
• medium-sized enterprises (50 to 249 employees).

Large enterprises are defined as those with 250 employees.

Further Eurostat information

• Business register – recommendations manual
• Glossary of business statistics
• Use of administrative sources for business statistical purposes

Related concepts

• Employee
• Enterprise
• Enterprise size