Migrant worker employed in the fast food sector in Qatar

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

Stakeholders Discuss the National Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises development Policy for Iraq
The participation of constituents, government, INGOs and UN agencies in the conference.

Stakeholders Discuss the National Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises development Policy for Iraq

Request for bids: Survey on working conditions and social protection coverage in the platform economy in the Philippines
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Informal economy

Request for bids: Survey on working conditions and social protection coverage in the platform economy in the Philippines

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

Publications

Mapping the coffee value chain in Uganda

Mapping the coffee value chain in Uganda

Mapping the coffee value chain in Honduras

Mapping the coffee value chain in Honduras

Market systems development for a just transition: What does it really mean for donors and practitioners?

Market systems development for a just transition: What does it really mean for donors and practitioners?

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

Sustainable enterprises

Formalization
Informal worker in Johannesburg

Formalization