OECD SME and Entrepreneurship Outlook 2021
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and entrepreneurs have been hit hard during
the COVID-19 crisis. Policy responses were quick and unprecedented, helping cushion
the blow and maintain most SMEs and entrepreneurs afloat. Despite the magnitude of
the shock, available data so far point to sustained start-ups creation, no wave of
bankruptcies, and an impulse to innovation in most OECD countries. However, government
support has been less effective at reaching the self-employed, smaller and younger
firms, women, and entrepreneurs from minorities. Countries were not all even in their
capacity to support SMEs either. As vaccine campaigns roll out and economic prospects
brighten, governments have to take the turn of a crisis exit and create the conditions
to build back better. The OECD SME and Entrepreneurship Outlook 2021 brings new evidence
on the impact of the crisis and policy responses on SMEs and entrepreneurs. It reflects
on longer-term issues, such as SME indebtedness or SME role in more resilient supply
chains or innovation diffusion. The report contains country profiles that benchmark
impact, factors of vulnerability, and sources of resilience in OECD countries, and
give a policy spotlight on liquidity support and recovery plans for SMEs.
Published on June 28, 2021Also available in: French