In 2023, there were approximately 309,000 SMEs operating in Ireland, with the vast majority of these (281,805) being micro-sized enterprises that employed between zero and nine people. Additionally, there were around 23,461 small businesses, which had between 10 and 49 employees, and 3,843 medium-sized businesses.
Number of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Ireland from 2008 to 2023, by size
The source adds the following information: The data cover the 'non-financial business economy', which includes industry, construction, trade, and services (NACE Rev. 2 sections B to J, L, M and N), but not enterprises in agriculture, forestry and fisheries and the largely non-market service sectors such as education and health. The following size-class definitions are applied: micro firms (0-9 persons employed), small firms (10-49 persons employed), medium-sized firms (50-249 persons employed), and large firms (250+ persons employed). The advantage of using Eurostat data is that the statistics are harmonised and comparable across countries. The disadvantage is that for some countries the data may be different from those published by national authorities.
Profit from the additional features of your individual account
Currently, you are using a shared account. To use individual functions (e.g., mark statistics as favourites, set
statistic alerts) please log in with your personal account.
If you are an admin, please authenticate by logging in again.
Learn more about how Statista can support your business.
European Commission. (June 27, 2022). Number of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Ireland from 2008 to 2023, by size [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved December 30, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/879089/number-of-smes-in-ireland/
European Commission. "Number of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Ireland from 2008 to 2023, by size." Chart. June 27, 2022. Statista. Accessed December 30, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/879089/number-of-smes-in-ireland/
European Commission. (2022). Number of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Ireland from 2008 to 2023, by size. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: December 30, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/879089/number-of-smes-in-ireland/
European Commission. "Number of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (Smes) in Ireland from 2008 to 2023, by Size." Statista, Statista Inc., 27 Jun 2022, https://www.statista.com/statistics/879089/number-of-smes-in-ireland/
European Commission, Number of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Ireland from 2008 to 2023, by size Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/879089/number-of-smes-in-ireland/ (last visited December 30, 2024)
Number of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Ireland from 2008 to 2023, by size [Graph], European Commission, June 27, 2022. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/879089/number-of-smes-in-ireland/
