Significant deterioration presented with the findings of the new research of IME GSEVEE, the financial climate for the small and very small business presented the first half of 2025.
Specifically, the relevant index decreased by twelve percentage points, reaching 47.2 points, reflecting the increased pressures by businesses from turnover reduction, high operating costs, low liquidity and limited access to funding.
Similarly, the expectations fell slightly to 58.2 points, confirming the climate of uncertainty and reserved perspectives.
The individual elements of the survey show:
Nine out of ten companies have reported an increase in operating costs since the onset of the energy crisis. 50% of businesses reported turnover declines in the first half of 2025. The liquidity fell further, with 56.7% declining, reminiscent of the difficult conditions of 2018.
Investment activity remains low: in 53.4% of the businesses they invested, the amount did not exceed 5,000 euros, while dependence on equity reaches 83.2%.
Despite the difficulties, some positive signs are also identified:
- 10.1% of businesses reported staff increase
- The percentage of businesses with overdue debts decreased to 24% (from 30.2% in the previous semester)
- Overall, the research captures a business landscape with dominant challenges and limited positive signs, which are more functioning as sturdy signs than as a substantial trend change
Main findings
The main findings of IME GSEVEE’s new research are:
- 26.8% of businesses have zero fluids available. 22% of businesses are available at most for a maximum of a month.
- 10.1% of businesses indicate staff increase
- 9 out of 10 companies said they had increased their operating costs from the energy crisis manifestation and then by 37.6% (on average)