Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) accounted for 35% of Türkiye’s total exports and 20% of its total imports in 2023, the Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat) reported Tuesday.
According to TurkStat data, 3.71 million enterprises operating in the industrial and service sectors were classified as SMEs in 2023, comprising 99.7% of all enterprises that year. SMEs also contributed to 70.5% of employment, 47.9% of personnel costs, 47.4% of turnover, 41.6% of production value, and 40.1% of value added at factor costs.
The entrepreneurship birth rate—measured as the ratio of newly established SME enterprises to the number of active SMEs—was recorded at 15.3%, while the employment share of newly established SMEs was 6.9%.
SMEs predominantly operate in trade
- Based on the statistical classification of economic activities, 36.1% of SMEs were active in wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles, 15.2% operated in transportation and storage, and 12.3% in manufacturing.
- The average personnel cost per employee in SMEs rose significantly over time, from ₺8,000 ($5,352) in 2009 to ₺149,000 in 2023.
- Similarly, the average value added per employee increased from ₺15,000 in 2009 to ₺296,000 in 2023.
Exports and imports by SMEs
- The export value of SMEs increased from $57 billion in 2013 to $87 billion in 2023. On the import side, the value rose from $48 billion in 2013 to $68 billion in 2023.
- In 2023, 49.3% of SME exports were directed to European countries, while 33.4% went to Asia. Meanwhile, 48.2% of SME imports originated from Europe and 42.6% from Asia.
- Among SME exports in 2023, machinery and equipment not classified elsewhere accounted for 11.5%, followed by clothing at 10.9% and textiles and food products at 7.5%.
- In SME imports, basic metals dominated with 26.2%, followed by machinery and equipment not classified elsewhere at 14.0%, and chemicals and chemical products at 12.5%.
In Türkiye, SMEs are defined as enterprises with fewer than 250 employees and annual net sales revenue or financial balance sheets not exceeding ₺500 million.
