Summary of Key Results
This report provides a statistical summary of the nature of the small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) in New Zealand, examining their significance for the economy, their financial performance, the dynamics of SMEs and the significance of SMEs internationally. This is the sixth such report produced by the Ministry of Economic Development (MED) and Statistics New Zealand.
Key Results as at February 2004
- 96.3% of enterprises employ 19 or fewer people.
- 86.8% of enterprises employ 5 or fewer people.
- 64.7% of enterprises have no employees.
- The number of SMEs increased 10.2% in the year to 2004, more than double the increase in the year to 2003.
- Between 2003 and 2004 the average number of employees per enterprise dropped slightly to around 5.
- SMEs accounted for 29.2% of all employees.
- Firms with 5 or fewer employees accounted for 10.4% of all employees.
- SMEs accounted for 37.3% of the economy's total output, measured by value-added, in 2003.
- Firms with 5 or fewer employees contributed 20.9% of total output in 2003.
- From February 2003 to February 2004, firms with 5 or fewer employees accounted for 95% and 93.7% of firm entries and exits.
- Firms with 5 or fewer employees have the highest average real profits per employee and third highest average real sales and other income per employee.
- The proportion of SMEs in the New Zealand economy is similar to that in a number of other countries.
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