SMEs and entrepreneurship
We provide data and analysis to develop policies that foster SMEs and entrepreneurship and facilitate sustainable growth, competitiveness and the creation of skilled jobs.
With almost two-thirds of employees working in an SME, SMEs are precisely where the future of work is taking shape. Read more...
The 8th edition of the Scoreboard on SME and Entrepreneurship Finance report provides data from 46 countries around the world on debt finance.
Ministers and high-level representatives from 55 OECD Member and Non-Member countries, the European Union, and 12 international organisations and associations gathered in Mexico City to discuss how to enable SMEs to enhance their contributions to productivity and inclusive growth. Read the Ministerial synthesis report.
The United Nations established an annual UN Micro-, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Day which takes place every year on 27 June in recognition of the importance of small businesses around the world, and their contributions to the economy and society.
The WE Initiative aims at boosting women’s entrepreneurship at the global, national and local scale through improved policy efforts - Read more
This series provides a means for assessing and improving the performance, design and implementation of SME and entrepreneurship policies, and for sharing policy experiences among OECD member countries and partner economies.
Testimonial
”We need a fundamental rethinking of SME and entrepreneurship policies to improve business conditions and access to resources […] and we need a renewed measurement agenda to understand how countries, regions and cities can capitalise on their many diverse small businesses as drivers for inclusive and sustainable growth“, said OECD Secretary General Gurría.
>> Read more
SME Productivity
Fostering productivity in SMEs is central to the goal of increasing economies’ productive potential and reducing inequalities. The OECD helps countries understand drivers and effective policies for SME productivity growth.
Financing SMEs
Access to appropriate sources of finance is key for SMEs to start-up, develop and grow, but long-standing challenges persist . Governments around the world are stepping up efforts to foster a diversified financial offer for SMEs and entrepreneurs.
SMEs & Digitalisation
Ensuring the uptake and effective use of digital technologies by SMEs and entrepreneurs is central to unlock fully the potential of the digital revolution and ensure that benefits are shared.
G20 & SMEs
Across all stages of their life cycle, SMEs require access to appropriate sources of financing for their creation and growth. The OECD is developing research to improve SMEs' access to finance.
SME Ministerial
Ministers and high-level representatives from 55 OECD Member and Non-Member countries, the European Union, and 12 international organisations and associations gathered in Mexico City to discuss how to enable SMEs to enhance their contributions to productivity and inclusive growth.
Areas of work
- Bologna Process on SME & Entrepreneurship Policies
- Declaration on Strengthening SMEs and Entrepreneurship for Productivity and Inclusive Growth
- The OECD Country review on SME and Entrepreneurship
- Inclusive Entrepreneurship
- SME Performance and Business Creation
- Supporting Entrepreneurship in Higher Education
