Report on the situation of SMEs in Austria ("KMU im Fokus 2025")
The latest report, "SMEs in Focus 2025", once again underscores the vital importance of our small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to Austria’s economic success. SMEs are the backbone of our country: they create jobs, train skilled workers, drive innovation, and ensure value creation in the region.
In 2024, there were approximately 604,000 SMEs, accounting for 99.7 percent of all businesses. They employ about 2.46 million people, including more than 52,000 apprentices, and thus account for 65 percent of all employed persons and 57 percent of apprentices in the market-oriented economy. With approximately € 169 billion in gross value added, SME contribute more than half of Austria’s economic output.
However, economic development is currently moderate: While the number of companies is rising slightly, employment has recently declined somewhat and real value added is on the decline. At the same time, the equity base of many SMEs remains stable.
Austrian SMEs are characterized in particular by a high degree of specialization, a strong export focus, and good access to financing. Many companies operate internationally and are integrated into global value chains at an above-average rate. They also exceed the EU average in terms of environmental innovations and collaborations.
Among the greatest challenges are bureaucracy, high labour and energy costs, a shortage of skilled workers, and a need to catch up in terms of digitalisation and venture capital. At the same time, numerous business succession cases are expected in the coming years.
To support SMEs in these efforts, Austria is increasingly focusing on measures in the areas of innovation, digitalisation, sustainability, financing, and reducing bureaucracy through the Austria 2035 Industrial Strategy and numerous funding and support programs.
For more details, visit the website www.kmuimfokus.at and see the following report (only in German): SMEs in Focus 2025 (PDF, 4 MB)
A summary of the report (in English) is available here: Executive Summary (PDF, 289 KB)