Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises
Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) are central to the promotion of decent work, economic growth and social justice. Despite their significance, MSMEs face the triple challenge of low productivity, poor working conditions and high vulnerability to economic, political and environmental shocks. Women, young workers and entrepreneurs operating in the informal economy are particularly vulnerable, and face additional constraints.
To overcome these barriers, the ILO supports governments, workers’ and employers’ organizations to foster an enabling environment for sustainable enterprises, advance entrepreneurship, create better market access, enhance productivity and promote formalization and decent work, thereby unlocking the full potential of MSMEs as drivers of human-centred, green and resilient growth.
70%
MSMEs account for about 70 per cent of total employment worldwide
80%
A large share of 80 per cent MSMEs operate in informal economies
33%
MSMEs productivity is only one third of large firms
66%
In emerging markets, 66 percent of SMEs reported having already been affected by climate change
News and articles
News
ILO launches training to boost market-driven livelihood solutions for refugees and host communities in Jordan
Entrepreneurship promotion
Next-Gen SIYB: Expanding, digitalising, and adapting together
Key areas of work
MSME policies for enabling environment and decent work
Productivity and working conditions
Market Access
Enterprise Formalization
Entrepreneurship promotion
Green and Resilient MSMEs
Small matters
Why small matters
Small goes digital
Publications
Toolkit
Good work! Human rights and labor rights due diligence tools for the garment sector in Argentina
Mapping the coffee value chain in Uganda
Mapping the coffee value chain in Honduras
Global programmes
Productivity Ecosystems for Decent Work
Systems Change Initiative for productive employment
ILO Director-General's message on MSMEs
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Related topics
Sustainable enterprises
Formalization