Eurostat publishes 'statistics in focus' report on SMEs in Europe
Eurostat, the EU's statistical information service, has published a 'statistics in focus' report based on the analysis of data available on Europe's small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs). The report gathers data collected during surveys such as the Flash Eurobarometer 100 and Structural Business Statistics, and presents the collated results under headings such as SMEs in the economy, innovation, and training. The first chapter of the report highlights the contribution of SMEs to the European economy, providing figures showing that around two-thirds of the population are employed in micro, small or medium sized enterprises, and that SMEs are responsible for 60 per cent of value added in the EU. Under the heading of innovation, the statistics indicate that of those factors preventing SMEs from producing innovative services and products, a lack of human resources is the main reason, cited by nearly half of respondents. The second and third most limiting reasons were access to innovative customers and an inability to use new technologies. As far as training is concerned, a lower percentage of SMEs have training programmes compared to large enterprises, but the figures from only those SMEs that do provide continuous vocational training (CVT) show that the participation of employees is just as high as for larger companies. The report also points to a direct relationship between training and the introduction of new technologies, particularly in small enterprises. The report, one of over 150 published by Eurostat each year on a range of themes, provides an example of the type of information that will be included in an upcoming 50 page report entitled 'SMEs in Europe - competitiveness, innovation and the knowledge-driven society'.