Migrant worker employed in the fast food sector in Qatar

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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

New programme to close digital gap for 15,000 small businesses
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Enterprise development

New programme to close digital gap for 15,000 small businesses

ILO boosts facilitation and communication skills to expand social security coverage across Jordan
woman government official and ILO staff standing

Press release

ILO boosts facilitation and communication skills to expand social security coverage across Jordan

Key areas of work

MSME policies for enabling environment and decent work
A human hand holding a green shoot, representing sustainability and enabling environment.

MSME policies for enabling environment and decent work

Productivity and working conditions
A woman at a sewing machine

Productivity and working conditions

Market Access
 MSMEs_Market_access_hero

Market Access

Enterprise Formalization
Two African women entrepreneurs are discussing a document. A cloth stand is in the background.

Enterprise Formalization

Entrepreneurship promotion
Female workers in Tunisia are processing mandarins.

Entrepreneurship promotion

Green and Resilient MSMEs
Farmer at work with his coworker (one of them on wheelchair) in a greenhouse

Green and Resilient MSMEs

Small matters

Why small matters
cover image for the report of Small matters

Why small matters

Small goes digital
cover image for the report of Small goes digital

Small goes digital

Most recent publications

A Market Systems Analysis on SMEs’ business incentives to contribute to social insurance schemes in Jordan

A Market Systems Analysis on SMEs’ business incentives to contribute to social insurance schemes in Jordan

Overview of Switzerland-ILO Cooperation

Factsheet, Jan 2025

Overview of Switzerland-ILO Cooperation

Global programmes

Productivity Ecosystems for Decent Work
A female worker is using tool to make wooden furniture

Productivity Ecosystems for Decent Work

Systems Change Initiative for productive employment
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Systems Change Initiative for productive employment

ILO Director-General's message on MSMEs

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ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo's statement reaffirms the ILO's commitment to supporting Micro-, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) and ensuring their resilience in the face of multiple crises, climate change, and economic uncertainties.

Related topics

Sustainable enterprises
blue sky, cloud and a skyscraper

Topic portal

Sustainable enterprises

Informal economy
Informal worker in Johannesburg

Topic portal

Informal economy