European Family Businesses is the EU federation of national associations representing long-term family owned enterprises, including small, medium-sized and larger companies. The organisation was created in 1997.
Family businesses make up between 65 to 80% of all European companies, accounting for on average more than 40 to 50% of all jobs (see map page 4). Family businesses constitute a substantial part of existing European companies and have a significant role to play in the strength and dynamism of the real economy.
‘Family firms are important, not only because they make an essential contribution to the economy, but also because of the long-term stability they bring, the specific commitment they show to local communities, the responsibility they feel as owners and the values they stand for. These are precious factors against the backdrop of the current financial crisis.’