Glossary:Enterprise size
(Redirected from Glossary:Small enterprises)
Enterprises can be classified in different categories according to their size; for this purpose different criteria may be used (e.g. number of persons employed, employees, balance sheet total, investments, ...), but the one most common in a statistical context is number of persons employed :
- small and medium-sized enterprises, abbreviated as SMEs: fewer than 250 persons employed;
- SMEs are further subdivided into:
- micro enterprises: fewer than 10 persons employed;
- small enterprises: 10 to 49 persons employed;
- medium-sized enterprises: 50 to 249 persons employed;
- large enterprises: 250 or more persons employed.
The number of persons employed should not be confused with employees or full-time equivalents; 'persons employed' includes employees but also working proprietors, partners working regularly in the enterprise and unpaid family workers.
Further information
- Business registers – Recommendations manual
- Use of administrative sources for business statistical purposes