Small Industry Outlook
The Small Industry Outlook analyzes, on a quarterly basis, small industry data collected by the Industrial Survey, Construction Industry Survey, and Business Confidence Index. The Outlook includes three new indices: the Performance Index, which measures the performance of small industry activity in the quarter; the Financial Situation Index, which assesses the financial situation of small enterprises; and the Outlook Index, which reveals business expectations. The survey also analyzes the main problems faced by small industry and the behavior of the ICEI index, considering only small companies.
Performance and confidence of small-scale industries hit their lowest level since 2020
At the end of the first quarter of 2026, the Performance and Confidence indices for small-scale industries recorded their lowest levels since 2020, a period marked by the effects of the pandemic. The lack of confidence is intense and widespread among entrepreneurs, highlighting the persistent nature of this situation, as the Confidence Index has remained below 50 points for 17 consecutive months. The financial situation of small-scale industries has also deteriorated, while the Prospects Index has been oscillating around the historical average, showing moderate expectations among entrepreneurs. The main problem cited by small-scale industries continued to be the high tax burden in the period, both in manufacturing and construction industries. The main change compared to the previous quarter was the increased concern over the lack or high cost of raw materials, which increased by 14 points in both segments.
May 13, 2026
