There are 23 million enterprises in the EU single market.

Error detected

The stated value of 23 million enterprises is approximately 30% below the actual Eurostat figure of ~33.1 million (2023) to ~33.5 million (2024).

Omissions

• The MEP did not cite any source for the 23 million figure.
• The claim does not specify a time period. The most recent data available before the session date (2026-05-20) shows ~33.5 million enterprises (2024), not 23 million.
• The figure of 23 million businesses has appeared in several EU institutional communications (Consilium infographic for the single market's 30th anniversary, European Commission publications), but this figure appears to be outdated relative to current Eurostat data. The origin and exact reference year of the 23 million figure could not be conclusively determined within the search limits, but it does not match any recent Eurostat dataset.
• The discrepancy between the 23 million figure repeated in some EU communications and the 33+ million in Eurostat data should be noted: Eurostat is the official statistical authority of the EU and its structural business statistics and business demography data consistently report figures above 33 million for 2023–2024.

Sources

• PrimaryEurostat – Large businesses in the EU: small number, high turnoverIn 2024, the EU had around 33.5 million enterprises, employing 164.2 million people. Those enterprises registered a net turnover of €38.7 trillion.
• PrimaryEurostat – Structural business statistics overview33.1 million enterprises were active in the EU in 2023, employing 162.2 million persons. Of that total, 99.8% were small and medium-sized enterprises.
• PrimaryEurostat – Business demography statisticsIn 2023, the EU's business economy was made up of over 33 million active enterprises, out of which 10.5% (3.5 million) were created that year.
• PrimaryEurostat – Large businesses make up only 0.2% of EU enterprisesIn 2023, the EU had around 33 million enterprises, employing 163 million persons. Those enterprises registered a net turnover of over €38 trillion.
• SecondaryConsilium – 30th anniversary of the EU single market23 million businesses. €14,522 billion GDP. 18% of the world's GDP.