Micro enterprises accounted for 92.6 per cent of enterprises in the economy in 2023. The number of businesses operating in the Irish economy rose above 400,000 for the first time in 2023. The number of active micro enterprises, those containing fewer than 10 employees, rose by 3.3 per cent to 371,480. Micro enterprises accounted for 92.6 per cent of businesses n the economy in 2023 and 26.9 per cent of people employed. The CSO noted that micro enterprises accounted for the largest proportion of enterprise deaths and people employed in ceased enterprises.

Source: The Irish Times December 15, 2025 15:45 UTC