Fundamentals of Management, 8th ed

Percentage of All U.S. Businesses

Under

20

100–499

500

or more

20–99

Percentage of All U.S. Workers

Under

20

100–499

500

or more

20–99

Number of Employees

(b)

Number of Employees

(a)

F I G U R E 5 . 1

The Importance of Small Business in the United States

(a) Approximately 86 percent of all U.S. businesses employ fewer than 20 people; another 11.7 percent

employ between 20 and 99 people. In contrast, only about 2.1 percent employ between 100 and 499

workers, and another 0.2 percent employ 500 or more.

(b) 24.5 percent of all U.S. workers are employed by firms with fewer than 20 people; another 29.6 percent

work in firms that employ between 20 and 99 people. 25.5 percent of U.S. workers are employed by firms

with 100–499 employees, and another 20.3 percent work for businesses that employ 500 or more total

employees.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Statistical Abstract of the United States, 2010 (Washington, DC: Government

Printing Office, 2011).