Economic Data
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Small Businesses Show Growing Signs of Caution About the Future

Employees hard at work
Staffing levels and investment plateau, as concerns about inflation grow.
Read The Q3 2021 Report
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Q3 2021 Report Highlights

Small Business Index score gauge
Q3 2021 SBI:56.6
This quarter’s Small Business Index score is 56.6, down from last quarter (60.0 in Q2), but in line with the beginning of the year (55.9 in Q1 2021).
Highlights from the q1 2021 report
50%
of small businesses say it is difficult to recruit and hire enough employees to fill open positions
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34%
of small business owners say the U.S. economy is in good health: higher than any point since the pandemic began.
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72%
of small businesses say they find it difficult to manage higher costs due to inflation as they work to recover from the pandemic.
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50%
of small businesses say it is difficult to recruit and hire enough employees to fill open positions
Learn More
34%
of small business owners say the U.S. economy is in good health: higher than any point since the pandemic began.
Learn More
72%
of small businesses say they find it difficult to manage higher costs due to inflation as they work to recover from the pandemic.
Learn More

The Data Explorer

Use the Data Explorer to browse and analyze years of data from the Small Business Index.

The Data Explorer contains data going back to 2017 (when the Index began) on the 10 big survey questions covering views of the economy, hiring, investment and other key economic indicators.

Explore Past Reports

View More Reports
A woman who works in fashion retail on the phone
Q2 2023 SBI 63.1

Index up as Small Businesses Plan for More Hiring, Higher Revenue

Inflation remains top concern by far
A concerned woman talking on the phone while looking at her laptop
Q1 2023 SBI 60.0

Index Down Slightly as Small Businesses See Weaker Economy

Inflation remains top concern of small businesses across country
Two men in hardhats reviewing a work documents
Q4 2022 SBI 62.1

Index Steady as Small Businesses Say High Inflation Still Top Concern

More small businesses this year say holiday season is important for overall profit
A woman who works in fashion retail on the phone
Q2 2023 SBI 63.1

Index up as Small Businesses Plan for More Hiring, Higher Revenue

Inflation remains top concern by far
A concerned woman talking on the phone while looking at her laptop
Q1 2023 SBI 60.0

Index Down Slightly as Small Businesses See Weaker Economy

Inflation remains top concern of small businesses across country
Two men in hardhats reviewing a work documents
Q4 2022 SBI 62.1

Index Steady as Small Businesses Say High Inflation Still Top Concern

More small businesses this year say holiday season is important for overall profit