In 2017, the number of high-growth enterprises in the European Union (EU) increased by 6 % compared with 2016. According to the preliminary data for 2017, the number of high-growth enterprises in the EU was 190 000, compared with 180 000 in 2016.
These enterprises provided jobs for around 16 million employees: a year-on-year increase in employees of 5 %.
The source dataset is available here.
Highest increase in Cyprus, Romania and Slovenia
Between 2016 and 2017, the number of high-growth enterprises increased by more than the EU average in 16 EU Member States. The increase was highest in Cyprus (57 %); however, the absolute number of high-growth enterprises in Cyprus is relatively low (102 in 2016 and 160 in 2017). Slovenia was in second position (20 %), followed by Finland (19 %) the Netherlands (17 %), Italy and Lithuania (both 16 %).
A decrease in the number of high-growth enterprises was recorded in five EU Member States: Malta (-18 %), Slovakia (-8 %), Hungary (-3 %), the United Kingdom and Romania (both -2 %).
Highest increase in the construction sector
The number of high-growth enterprises increased in all economic sectors for which figures are available. The highest increases were in 'construction' (11.3 %) and 'mining and quarrying' (10.7 %), followed by 'transportation and storage' (8.6 %) and 'professional, scientific and technical activities' (8.0 %). The smallest increase was in 'manufacturing' (2.5 %).
Note: Data for 'repair of computers and personal and household goods' are not available for 2016. The source dataset is available here.
High-growth enterprises are defined as enterprises with an average annualised growth in the number of employees of more than 10 % per year over a three-year period and at least 10 employees when the growth began. High-growth enterprises play an important role in contributing to economic growth and job creation.
For more information:
- Overview of structural business statistics.
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