Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are for-profit businesses whose total assets do not exceed 500 billion South Korean won and which meet the criterion of independence (not a subsidiary of a large enterprise). Depending on the type of business, companies with average three-year sales of 40 billion South Korean won or less to 150 billion South Korean won or less are defined as SMEs.
Figures have been rounded.
The release date used here is the access date.
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Number of people employed by SMEs South Korea 2017-2022
In 2020, about ** million people were employed by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in South Korea, slightly up from about **** million in the previous year. SMEs were the largest employer in South Korea, with their workforce accounting for more than ** percent of the country's total employment.
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Ministry of SMEs and Startups. (October 24, 2024). Number of people employed by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in South Korea from 2017 to 2022 (in millions) [Graph]. In ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Retrieved July 25, 2026, from /statistics/1333116/south-korea-sme-employment/
Ministry of SMEs and Startups. "Number of people employed by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in South Korea from 2017 to 2022 (in millions)." Chart. October 24, 2024. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Accessed July 25, 2026. /statistics/1333116/south-korea-sme-employment/
Ministry of SMEs and Startups. (2024). Number of people employed by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in South Korea from 2017 to 2022 (in millions). ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc.. Accessed: July 25, 2026. /statistics/1333116/south-korea-sme-employment/
Ministry of SMEs and Startups. "Number of People Employed by Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (Smes) in South Korea from 2017 to 2022 (in Millions)." ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc., 24 Oct 2024, /statistics/1333116/south-korea-sme-employment/
Ministry of SMEs and Startups, Number of people employed by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in South Korea from 2017 to 2022 (in millions) ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, /statistics/1333116/south-korea-sme-employment/ (last visited July 25, 2026)
Number of people employed by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in South Korea from 2017 to 2022 (in millions) [Graph], Ministry of SMEs and Startups, October 24, 2024. [Online]. Available: /statistics/1333116/south-korea-sme-employment/
