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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

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

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

Productivity and working conditions

Market Access

Enterprise Formalization

Entrepreneurship promotion

Green and Resilient MSMEs
Small matters

Why small matters

Small goes digital
Most recent publications
A Market Systems Analysis on SMEs’ business incentives to contribute to social insurance schemes in Jordan
Factsheet, Jan 2025
Overview of Switzerland-ILO Cooperation
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

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Sustainable enterprises

Topic portal
Informal economy