Key Small Business Statistics


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

Cover of the KSBS July 2012 publication


Key Small Business Statistics — July 2012 edition includes data on the number of businesses in Canada, job creation, firm survival, the share of firms that are high-growth firms, earnings by business size, the number of self-employed workers, and the contribution of small businesses to Canada's gross domestic product and to exports.

Archived Previous Editions:
2011, 2010, July 2009, January 2009, Complete list


Special editions

Cover of Financing Statistics - December 2009 publication


Financing Statistics - December 2009 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 2006, August 2005


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.