The European Union’s business economy included around 34 million enterprises in 2024, employing 164.5 million people and generating approximately €10.9 trillion in value added. Micro and small firms with up to 49 people employed accounted for 99% of enterprises, but large companies — only 0.2% of the total — generated 49% of value added, according to Eurostat.
Total turnover in the EU business economy exceeded €38.7 trillion. Compared with 2023, the number of enterprises increased by about 0.9 million, employment by 2.3 million and value added by roughly €400 billion.
Large companies are few but economically significant
Large enterprises with more than 249 people employed represented only 0.2% of all companies. Despite their small number, they accounted for 37% of employment and 49% of value added.
Medium-sized enterprises with 50 to 249 people employed represented 0.8% of firms, 15% of employment and 16% of value added.
Micro and small enterprises with up to 49 people employed made up 99% of firms, 48% of employment and 35% of value added.
EU enterprises by size, 2024
Micro and small (0–49 employed): 99% of firms, 48% of employment, 35% of value added
Medium (50–249): 0.8% of firms, 15% of employment, 16% of value added
Large (250+): 0.2% of firms, 37% of employment, 49% of value added
Source: Eurostat, Structural Business Statistics
Eurostat’s size classes in these statistics are based on the number of people employed. They should not be confused with the broader EU SME definition, which can also take turnover and balance-sheet totals into account.
Services dominate the number of enterprises
Services represented 64% of enterprises in the EU business economy, 53% of employment and 51% of value added. In 2023, the corresponding shares were 63%, 52% and 49%.
Industry accounted for only 7% of enterprises but 20% of employment and 28% of value added. A year earlier, the shares of employment and value added were slightly higher, at 21% and 29% respectively.
Trade represented 17% of firms, 18% of employment and 15% of value added. Construction accounted for 12% of enterprises, 8% of employment and 7% of value added.
Value added rose by about 3.8%
EU business-economy value added increased from about €10.5 trillion in 2023 to €10.9 trillion in 2024, an increase of roughly 3.8%. Turnover increased from more than €38.5 trillion to more than €38.7 trillion.
The number of firms rose by around 2.7%, while employment increased by approximately 1.4%.
The statistics cover the EU business economy and exclude areas such as public administration, defence, compulsory social security and membership organisations.
Source: Eurostat, final Structural Business Statistics for 2024, published September 30, 2026.
