In 2024, the European Union was estimated to have approximately 26.06 million enterprises operating in the non-financial business economy, compared with 25.80 million in 2023. Since 2008, there is estimated to have been a net increase of around 5.9 million business enterprises during this period.
Number of enterprises in the non-financial business economy of the European Union (EU27) from 2008 to 2024
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. (July 4, 2024). Number of enterprises in the non-financial business economy of the European Union (EU27) from 2008 to 2024 [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved November 26, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1248775/number-of-businesses-eu/
European Commission. "Number of enterprises in the non-financial business economy of the European Union (EU27) from 2008 to 2024." Chart. July 4, 2024. Statista. Accessed November 26, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1248775/number-of-businesses-eu/
European Commission. (2024). Number of enterprises in the non-financial business economy of the European Union (EU27) from 2008 to 2024. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: November 26, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1248775/number-of-businesses-eu/
European Commission. "Number of Enterprises in The Non-financial Business Economy of The European Union (Eu27) from 2008 to 2024." Statista, Statista Inc., 4 Jul 2024, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1248775/number-of-businesses-eu/
European Commission, Number of enterprises in the non-financial business economy of the European Union (EU27) from 2008 to 2024 Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1248775/number-of-businesses-eu/ (last visited November 26, 2024)
Number of enterprises in the non-financial business economy of the European Union (EU27) from 2008 to 2024 [Graph], European Commission, July 4, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1248775/number-of-businesses-eu/