As of April 2018, most of small and medium enterprises (SME) in France belonged to the media, communication or information sectors. 5 percent of French SMEs belonged to the media and communications industry, compared to 13 percent for both retail and personal services sectors. In recent years, the number of companies in the information and communication sector has been increasing in the country, reaching more than 150,000 enterprises in 2014. SMEs are becoming more and more common in this sector, allowing individuals to create and develop their own companies.
Small and medium enterprises
Small and medium-sized companies have less employees and a turnover lower than 50 million euros. Thus, SMEs are an important part of the European, as well as French, economy. In 2017, there were approximately 2.96 million SMEs in France. One year before, studies have shown that French SMEs employed more than 9 million individuals.
Being an entrepreneur in France
In a survey from 2018, 80 percent of respondents declared that attracting customers were the most important challenges of SMEs. Most of small and medium enterprises had a positive opinion on their overall state. In 2017, more than 241, 000 micro-enterprises have been created in France, in majority within specialized activities and scientific, technical and support activities. Business leaders creating their own company often mention facing new challenges as one of the reasons they became entrepreneurs.
Main industry sectors of small and medium enterprises (SME) in France as of April 2018
Characteristic
Share of responding businesses
Media, communication or information (e.g., broadcasting, telecoms, computer programming)
15%
Other
13%
Retail or wholesale (incl. online shops)
13%
Personal services (e.g. beauty and wellness, repair of household goods)
12%
Professional services (e.g., financial services, consulting, travel agents, business services)
7%
Arts, entertainment or recreation (e.g., museum, creative arts, sports club)
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FactWorks. (April 2, 2018). Main industry sectors of small and medium enterprises (SME) in France as of April 2018 [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved December 22, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/701501/monthly-sme-industry-sectors-france/
FactWorks. "Main industry sectors of small and medium enterprises (SME) in France as of April 2018." Chart. April 2, 2018. Statista. Accessed December 22, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/701501/monthly-sme-industry-sectors-france/
FactWorks. (2018). Main industry sectors of small and medium enterprises (SME) in France as of April 2018. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: December 22, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/701501/monthly-sme-industry-sectors-france/
FactWorks. "Main Industry Sectors of Small and Medium Enterprises (Sme) in France as of April 2018." Statista, Statista Inc., 2 Apr 2018, https://www.statista.com/statistics/701501/monthly-sme-industry-sectors-france/
FactWorks, Main industry sectors of small and medium enterprises (SME) in France as of April 2018 Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/701501/monthly-sme-industry-sectors-france/ (last visited December 22, 2024)
Main industry sectors of small and medium enterprises (SME) in France as of April 2018 [Graph], FactWorks, April 2, 2018. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/701501/monthly-sme-industry-sectors-france/