Netherlands: SME M&A deals, per sector 2021

Companies in retail and specialized business services in the Netherlands had the most M&A transactions going for them of all SMEs in 2021, with both sectors having over 1.4 thousand deals each. The source defined SME (or mkb, a Dutch abbreviation of midden- en kleinbedrijf) as a company having between two to 249 employees, as well as companies with one employee that are not classified as a freelancer/self-employed person. SMEs were the Netherlands’ second largest type of business enterprise.

Number of mergers and acquisitions of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the Netherlands from 2007 to 2021, per sector

Characteristic	Agriculture, forestry and fishing	Manufacturing	Construction	Wholesale and retail trade	Transportation and storage	Accommodation and food service activities	Information and communication	Consultancy, research and other specialized business services	Renting and leasing of tangible goods and other business support services
2021*	145	560	590	1,425	225	240	685	1,420	475
2020	135	510	480	1,295	210	255	600	1,265	440
2019	130	510	515	1,275	220	270	635	1,265	425
2018	110	450	400	1,070	180	220	525	1,010	405
2017	80	415	395	955	140	195	385	865	330
2016	145	575	490	1,450	230	240	640	1,330	450
2015	110	425	415	1,095	180	195	475	965	340
2014	110	410	345	965	165	120	375	815	325
2013	115	430	435	1,155	195	170	405	980	360
2012	95	455	430	1,150	150	160	410	965	340
2011	80	395	375	990	160	120	375	845	335
2010	95	405	445	985	185	140	350	840	305
2009	45	195	225	515	100	65	175	515	180
2008	40	220	215	520	105	60	165	425	155
2007	50	235	225	570	100	85	180	430	160