SME and Entrepreneurship Outlook (2021)

This report from the OECD, published in 2021, draws lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and entrepreneurs. These categories have been particularly exposed, facing limited cash reserves to overcome low revenues due to lockdowns and decreasing sales. This report analyses both short-term and long-term impacts of the crisis and looks at the policy response to support the SMEs' and entrepreneurs' recovery. It also looks into measures undertaken to combat the impact of the crisis on SMEs in particular, such as initiatives aiming to improve business resilience and capability to adapt to changing circumstances. The report also presents 38 country profiles, providing insights on national SME performance and entrepreneurial trends. More specifically: 

Part 1 looks into SME indebtedness, risks and opportunities presented by possible transformations of global value chains as well as SME digitalisation and innovation trends that emerged during the crisis.

Part 2 presents 38 country profiles, providing insights on national SME performance and entrepreneurial trends, and assessing the factors of vulnerability and resilience of the SME sector in each country. Country profiles also present national SME and entrepreneurship policy frameworks and recent policy initiatives to support the recovery of SMEs.