The European Union has 34 million small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Omissions

• Strictly speaking, 34 million is the total number of active enterprises in the EU in 2024; SMEs represent 99.8% of that total, i.e. about 33.9 million — the rounding to 34 million SMEs is standard in Commission and Council communications.
• The 34 million figure refers to the EU's business economy (market producers); it is a count of enterprises, not of SMEs as defined strictly by the SME Recommendation (headcount/turnover/balance-sheet criteria), which can produce slightly different totals.
• Eurostat's own 2022 data point (32.3 million enterprises, published 25 October 2024) shows the number has grown, so 34 million is the most recent available figure before the session date.
• The remainder of the MEP's sentence (average saving of EUR 41 per month per SME, and the claim that 86% of SMEs must employ dedicated staff for regulatory compliance) is a separate factual assertion not covered by this verification.

Sources

• PrimaryEurostat — Structural business statistics overview (Statistics Explained)"34 million enterprises were active in the EU in 2024, employing 164.5 million people. Of that total, 99.8% were small and medium-sized enterprises"
• PrimaryEuropean Commission — SME Performance Review / Annual Report on European SMEs 2025/2026"The EU's 34 million SMEs demonstrated solid growth in 2025 and are consolidating a recovery from recent crises. Their real value added grew by 2.5%"
• PrimaryEurostat news — Micro & small businesses make up 99% of enterprises in the EU"In 2022, the EU had 32.3 million enterprises, employing 160 million persons. Of that total, 99% were micro and small enterprises"
• SecondaryCouncil of the European Union — Support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)"The 34 million European SMEs represent 99.8% of all businesses and provide about two-thirds of employment in the EU."