THIS AND THAT
Some Key Data
on BC Businesses*
392,800
Total number of
businesses in BC
in 2012.
98%
are small businesses.
2%
are large businesses,
defined by the BC govt as employing 50 people or more.
More than 80% of these larger businesses employ
between 50 and 250 workers.
700-800 private-sector enterprises in BC
have more than 500 employees on direct payroll,
as estimated by the BCBC.
82%
56%
43%
of these small businesses have
fewer than five employees.
Almost
38%
are self-employed business
operators without paid help.
are businesses with some paid help
but with fewer than 50 employees
(includes incorporated self-employed).
of self-employed
people in BC are
women — the highest
rate in Canada.
1,000,000+ 1
#
number of people employed by small businesses in
BC in 2012 (includes self-employed with no paid help).
Regions with most growth in # of
small businesses (2007-2012):
Thompson-Okanagan (5.3%)
and Vancouver Island/Coast (3.2%).
~26%
96%
of BC’s GDP was generated
by small businesses in 2012.
of BC’s high-tech businesses
have fewer than 50 employees.
Real estate led all sectors
for small business growth
in BC (2007-2012).
BC leads Canada for the number
of small businesses per capita.
Small businesses provide
of all private-sector
jobs in BC — the 2nd
highest share in Canada.
55%
85%
1.4%
of all exporters in BC are small
businesses (firms with fewer than
50 workers)
but only
of BC’s small businesses
are involved in exporting
goods to foreign markets.
* Main data source: Small Business Profile 2013, published by the BC
government and BC Stats. Additional info: Business Council of British
Columbia, Policy Perspectives, Volume 20, Issue 4, October 2013.
CPABC in Focus • Feb/Mar 2014
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