Wicklow has been named the best county for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Ireland, according to the latest data from the Central Statistics Office (CSO).
In contrast, Dublin ranked 11th on the list, despite its large business environment.
Small and medium-sized enterprises are defined as businesses employing fewer than 50 people.
The data, compiled by Baldwin Digital, revealed that 72.4 per cent of all businesses in Wicklow fall under the SME category, compared to just over one-third of businesses in Dublin.
Wicklow is home to more than 31,000 SMEs, meaning the county boasts over 2,000 SMEs for every 10,000 residents.
This high concentration of small businesses underscores Wicklow’s strong support for entrepreneurship and local enterprises.
Following Wicklow, Donegal, Tipperary, Carlow, and Cavan complete the top five counties for SMEs. Westmeath, on the other hand, was ranked as the worst county in Ireland for small and medium-sized businesses.