On 22 June 2026, the European Commission published the Annual Report on European Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) 2025/2026 and a new report on women entrepreneurs in Europe. Both reports provide new data to support future policies, initiatives and funding measures for small and medium-sized enterprises.
The Annual Report shows that Europe’s 34 million SMEs recorded solid growth in 2025, whilst continuing to recover from recent crises. The number of businesses rose by 1.8 per cent, whilst their real value added grew by 2.5 per cent and employment by 1.0 per cent.
The report provides an overview of the options that could boost the productivity of small and medium-sized enterprises, such as the adoption of new technologies and artificial intelligence (AI), areas in which SMEs continue to lag behind large enterprises. In 2025, 55.0% of large enterprises were using AI technologies, compared with 30.4% of medium-sized enterprises and 17.0% of small enterprises.
The report also examines the additional challenges faced by SMEs within value chains during periods of disruptive technological change and their implications for SME productivity, using the automotive sector as a case study.
The report ‘Women Entrepreneurs in Europe: Data, Barriers and Recommendations for Support’ analyses female entrepreneurship in the EU and identifies the challenges faced by women-led businesses in starting up and expanding their businesses, as well as the difficulties they encounter in accessing finance. The report reveals that only 33 per cent of business owners in the EU are women. Furthermore, they are concentrated in sectors traditionally associated with women, such as personal services (69 per cent), health and social care (65 per cent) and education (57 per cent), whilst they remain under-represented in other sectors. The report concludes with five specific recommendations to strengthen the enabling environment and unlock the untapped potential of women entrepreneurs and women-led businesses.
More information: European Commission
Publicaciones relacionadas:
An ambitious budget for a stronger Europe: 2028-2034
The Commission proposes an Industrial Acceleration Act to strengthen industry and create jobs in Europe
The Commission and EU countries coordinate and assess the situation on the oil and gas markets
The Commission has published guidelines to facilitate the implementation of the new packaging rules, with the aim of creating a more sustainable and competitive packaging sector
The Commission, EU countries and industry representatives are meeting to assess the situation in the oil market
Leave a Reply