In the first half of the year, Brazil gained 2.6 million new small businesses

The Brazilian entrepreneurial landscape demonstrated strength in the first half of 2025, with 2.6 million new small businesses opening. According to a Sebrae survey, this figure is 23% higher than the same period last year, when approximately 2.2 million small businesses were created.

MEIs, which accounted for 77.3% of small businesses opened in the first half of the year, saw a 24.5% increase compared to the same half of the previous year. Microenterprises and Small Businesses, which represented 18.6% and 4.1% of small businesses opened in the period, respectively, also saw growth. together, they showed an increase of 17% compared to the first half of 2024 .

For Sebrae President Décio Lima, the data reflects a dynamic business environment, with digitalization and the demand for specialized services driving the creation of new companies in various areas.

The continued growth of MEIs and MPEs is a positive indicator for the Brazilian economy, contributing to the generation of income and jobs throughout the country .

Décio Lima, president of Sebrae.

Among the states, Piauí (37.6%), Amazonas (37.5%) and Sergipe (34.2%) led the growth in the opening of MEIs in the first half of the year compared to the same period in 2024. As for MPEs, the highlights were Ceará (59.6%), Amazonas (42.1%) and Rio Grande do Sul (29.8%), highlighting the regional diversity of entrepreneurship in the country.

Last June, the Services sector has consolidated itself as the main driver of new Small Business openings, accounting for 63.1% of the total , followed by Commerce (21.5%) and Manufacturing Industry (7.6%). Analyzing the CNAEs (National Classification of Economic Activities) with the highest number of registrations in June 2025, the following distribution is observed:

For MEIs

• Road freight transport: 20,645 records (7.1%)
• Mail and delivery activities: 20,527 records (7.1%)
• Advertising activities: 17,866 records (6.1%)

For SMEs

• Outpatient care activities performed by physicians and dentists: 5,649 records (6.5%)
• Combined office and administrative support services: 4,344 records (5%)
• Activities of health professionals, except doctors and dentists: 4,158 records (4.8%)