October 2026
Three Problems Made Small-Business Owners’ Top 10 in Every NFIB Survey From 1986 to 2024. Health Insurance Was First Each Time
NFIB's problem rankings since 1986: health insurance first in all ten surveys, and federal and state taxes on business income never out of the top 10.
In Mid-2020, Nearly One in Four Hires at Firms Under 20 Employees Was Someone Coming Back
Census job-flow data: in July–September 2020, 23.6% of hires at firms under 20 were returning workers, against a usual 12.5%. Every size rose.
75.4% of Employers With 1 to 4 People Said None of Their Employees Received Training. At 20 to 49: 40.4%
Census's Annual Business Survey: 75.4% of employers with 1 to 4 people said no employee received training. It falls at every size band through 20 to 49.
41.8% of Manufacturing Plants Said Their Production Targets Needed More Than Normal Effort to Achieve
In Census's 2021 management survey, 41.8% of manufacturing plants said their targets needed more than normal effort. 13.6% said little or some.
At Large Banks, 61% of Small-Business Applicants Named an Existing Relationship. At Online Lenders, 64% Named Speed
Fed survey data on why small employers chose a lender: at large banks 61% named an existing relationship. At online lenders, 64% named speed.
The Share of US Employers Under Six Years Old Rose Every Year From 2014 to 2022. Their Share of Jobs Barely Moved
Census data: firms aged five or under went from 32.2% of US employers in 2014 to 36.0% in 2022. Their share of all jobs: 10.6% to 10.9%, barely moved.