Key Small Business Statistics

This publication provides information on the most frequently asked questions pertaining to small businesses in Canada.

Cover of the KSBS publication June 2016 edition


Key Small Business Statistics — June 2016 edition includes data on the number of businesses in Canada, job creation, firm births and deaths, the share of high-growth firms, firm financing, the number of firms that innovate and export, the small businesses contribution to each province's gross domestic product as well as on business owner characteristics.

Archived Previous Editions:
2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, Complete list


Special editions

Cover of Majority Female-Owned SMEs publication


Majority Female-Owned Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises–May 2015 is a special edition of Key Small Business Statistics aiming to provide readers with a picture of the general distribution of majority female-owned small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Canada.

Cover of Financing Statistics-November 2013 publication


Financing Statistics–November 2013 is a special edition of Key Small Business Statistics that presents various statistics on the financing of Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises including credit request and approval rates, average value of loan requests and intended use of financing. Some statistics are presented by demographic characteristics of owners (e.g., women, visible minorities), province, industry and firm size.

Archived Previous Editions: December 2009, December 2006, August 2005

Cover of The Canadian Provinces publication


The Canadian Provinces–September 2013 is a special edition of Key Small Business Statistics that provides readers with a picture of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Canadian provinces with a focus on the diversity within the country's borders.

Cover of Canadian Small Business Exporters publication


Canadian Small Business Exporters - June 2011 is a special edition of Key Small Business Statistics that includes three sections. The first section, Key Statistics on Small Business Exports, presents information on exports by firm size, industry, destination, province and commodity exported. The second section, Financing Profile of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise Exporters, presents a profile of SME exporters, including their financing activities and perceived obstacles to growth. The third section looks at SME Involvement in Global Value Chains.

Cover of Growth Map of Canadian Firms publication


Growth Map of Canadian Firms - January 2010 is a special edition of Key Small Business Statistics that examines the distribution of all Canadian firms according to their growth rate (positive or negative) in terms of employment and revenue. An analysis by firm size and industry, as well as employment created and revenue generated by firms, is also included. The section on the number of businesses in Canada has been updated.