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.
Citation formats
Number of people employed by SMEs South Korea 2022, by industry
In 2022, there were about **** million people employed in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) operating in the wholesale and retail trade sector in South Korea. The total number of employees in SMEs amounted to about ***** million that year.
Profit from the additional features of your individual account
Currently, you are using a shared account. To use individual functions (e.g., mark statistics as favourites, set
statistic alerts) please log in with your personal account.
If you are an admin, please authenticate by logging in again.
Learn more about how Statista can support your business.
Ministry of SMEs and Startups. (August 29, 2024). Number of people employed by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in South Korea in 2022, by industry (in 1,000s) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved May 08, 2026, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1333140/south-korea-sme-employment-by-industry/
Ministry of SMEs and Startups. "Number of people employed by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in South Korea in 2022, by industry (in 1,000s)." Chart. August 29, 2024. Statista. Accessed May 08, 2026. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1333140/south-korea-sme-employment-by-industry/
Ministry of SMEs and Startups. (2024). Number of people employed by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in South Korea in 2022, by industry (in 1,000s). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: May 08, 2026. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1333140/south-korea-sme-employment-by-industry/
Ministry of SMEs and Startups. "Number of People Employed by Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (Smes) in South Korea in 2022, by Industry (in 1,000s)." Statista, Statista Inc., 29 Aug 2024, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1333140/south-korea-sme-employment-by-industry/
Ministry of SMEs and Startups, Number of people employed by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in South Korea in 2022, by industry (in 1,000s) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1333140/south-korea-sme-employment-by-industry/ (last visited May 08, 2026)
Number of people employed by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in South Korea in 2022, by industry (in 1,000s) [Graph], Ministry of SMEs and Startups, August 29, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1333140/south-korea-sme-employment-by-industry/
