Small and medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs)
Economic policy targeting the business sector aims at providing the best possible framework for enterprises of all sizes and sectors and fostering the potential capacity of business activities which further improve Austria's competitiveness and economic growth.
Given the structure of Austria's economy, in which small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) account for more than 99 percent of all businesses, it is no surprise that SME policy is a cornerstone of economic policy.
Austria´s 358,600 SMEs are highly diverse. Enterprises differ according to size, industry or their phase in the business life cycle. In 2021, about 152,500 enterprises, or 42 percent of all enterprises of the total business economy, were one-person enterprises. These businesses have no employees at all, but often show growth potential and an intention to employ people. 30,700 silverpreneurs (2020) or 8 percent of all self-employed are still active in business beyond retirement age. In the past decade (2010-2020), their numbers has increased by around 13 percent. This clearly shows that concerns and needs of SMEs tend to vary greatly.
For this reason, the Federal Ministry of Labour and Economy strives to take measures geared to the specific sector and business size, while at the same time, keeping the common interests of all business enterprises in mind.
Additional Information
- European Enterprise Policy
- European Enterprise Promotion Awards
- Promoting Entrepreneurship - The "Map of Actions"
- Promoting Entrepreneurship - Youth Entrepreneurship Week
- Report on the situation of SMEs in Austria 2021
- Small and medium enterprises in Austria – facts and figures
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