Number of rural enterprises

Approximately one third of all enterprises in Finland are located in rural areas. In 2019, there were approximately 81,000 rural enterprises. Business activities outside the scope of agriculture has also become a new source of income for farms. However, the number of enterprises fell slightly from 2013 to 2019 in rural areas but increased slightly in urban areas.

Of all rural enterprises, only 0.1 per cent are large enterprises, while the rest are small and medium-sized enterprises. Furthermore, approximately 94 per cent of all rural enterprises are microenterprises that employ less than ten people. More than one third of all rural enterprises operate in the fields of construction and trade.

The Uusimaa, Southwest Finland and Southern and Northern Ostrobothnia regions have the highest number of rural enterprises.

This indicator measures how the situation regarding enterprises has developed in general in rural areas. The indicator data can be used to assess the impact of actions taken under the Rural Development Programme on the development of business operations in rural areas. As a result of changes in enterprises, it is also possible to assess the potential development of employment in each area.

Statistics Finland produces information about the number of rural enterprises by rural area.

This is one of the national impact indicators of the 2014–2020 Rural Development Programme for Mainland Finland.

The indicator will next be updated in spring 2024.